Former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos has filed a cyberlibel complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela and Philippine Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Logico, NBI director Melvin Matibag confirmed.
Matibag confirmed the development when asked about Carlos’ earlier remark that she wanted to file a cyberlibel complaint against Tarriela and Logico following their supposed social media posts against her.
‘She actually filed a complaint na cyberlibel [against] different personalities,’ Matibag said. ‘We also entertained her.’
Carlos arrived at the NBI last Friday to file the complaint.
Matibag said the bureau will send a letter to Tarriela, Logico, and other individuals named in the complaint to get their side of the story.
‘Actually, yun naman yung discussion namin kay Professor Carlos that we will inform them of the complaint so that they can respond properly also,’ he said.
(Actually, that’s what we discussed with Professor Carlos, that we inform them of the complaint so they can respond properly.)
Matibag did not detail when the bureau would send the letter to the officials.
Responding to Carlos’ move, Tarriela said in a statement that he had not yet received any summons from the NBI and had not seen the basis of the complaint.
‘Once I receive the formal notice, I will respond through the proper legal process,’ said Tarriela.
‘What I can say is that the public has been fully aware of what former Professor Clarita Carlos has said and posted on social media recently. I will leave it to our countrymen to judge for themselves,’ added Tarriela.
Tarriela earlier issued a statement questioning why Carlos supposedly appeared angrier at him than at China, when the former national security adviser called him a ‘troublemaker’ as she defended Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s controversial remarks about Beijing’s military advantage over the Philippines.
‘Tinuruan ako ng aking mga magulang na huwag magsalita nang masama laban sa matatanda. Pero since nagmumura na si lola, let me respond… Your statements proved only one thing: kung bakit you were not able to at least be the National Security Adviser kahit one year man lang. Imagine mas galit pa kayo sa akin kaysa sa China,’ Tarriela earlier said.
(My parents taught me not to speak ill of elders. But since grandma is swearing, let me respond… Your statements proved only one thing: why you were not able to at least be the National Security Adviser for even one year. Imagine you are even more angry with me than China.)
Meanwhile, Logico recently wrote on social media, ‘Now I remember why I walked out of her class during MNSA (Master in National Security Administration.)’
The public exchange comes amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing following Ambassador Jing’s recent remark that China could easily prevail if it chose to use force against the Philippines.
Last Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs summoned Jing to convey the Philippines’ strong objection to his statement, which it described as ‘provocative’ and ‘unacceptable.’