Sen. Risa Hontiveros. PRIB FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥擜 ranking military official invoked President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 gag order on issues concerning maritime dispute with China when the topic was raised during the Commission on Appointment鈥檚 hearing on Wednesday.
At the start of the CA鈥檚 committee on national defense, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked Commodore Antonio Palces, deputy chief of staff for education, training and doctrines of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), about Beijing鈥檚 law that allows its coast guard to fire at foreign vessels in Chinese-claimed reefs.
Hontiveros, in particular, asked Palces whether the AFP has a new set of rules of engagement in response to China鈥檚 new law.
Palces told the senator, however, he was not authorized to speak on the issue.
鈥淏efore I reported here, I was given a guidance by the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the only authorized persons to speak, as far as issues in the West Philippines Sea are concerned, are the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the presidential spokesperson,鈥� he said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that he and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. about the matter.
following former Senate President Juan Ponce Entile鈥檚 advice to him to not to listen to his critics as he would only be answerable to the Filipino people.
While she said she is confident Locsin could articulate the country鈥檚 foreign policy, Hontiveros said she could not say the same for Roque.
鈥淚 regret I can鈥檛 say the same about the other official mentioned by the good Rear Admiral鈥︹�� she said.
鈥淚 regret though I understand why the Rear Admiral can鈥檛 offer his update about a new set of rules of engagement鈥︹�� the senator later said.