Former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos has lodged cyber libel complaints against Philippine Coast Guard West Philippine Sea spokesperson Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela and Philippine Military Academy Superintendent Lieutenant General Michael Logico, intensifying a public feud sparked by their comments about her.
Carlos confirmed in an interview that she met with National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag specifically to submit the cases.
“I met with Director Matibag because I wanted to file a cyber libel suit against two people,” Carlos said, naming Tarriela and Logico as the subjects of her complaints.
She explained that her case against Tarriela arose from what she described as malicious online posts and statements he made during media interviews. Carlos pointed to a joke Tarriela allegedly directed at her social media call for a boycott of Chinese-made products, which she insisted was meant as satire.
Tarriela pushed back, saying he had stronger grounds to claim he was the one being maligned. He cited Carlos’ remarks telling him to “STFU” and accusing him of harboring political ambitions.
“I have more reasons to claim that I’m being maligned with all the statements that she said,” Tarriela said.
Carlos also rejected any suggestion that she is pro-China, calling such labels a way to dodge substantive discussion.
“Of course not. That’s a stupid thing to say. When you say pro-China, it’s a shortcut. Wala ka ng argument,” she said.
She added that she preferred critics to debate her actual arguments instead of launching personal attacks.
Tarriela maintained he never labeled Carlos pro-China and stressed that his role centers on informing the public about China’s activities and alleged violations in the West Philippine Sea. He also questioned why Carlos seemed angrier at him than at China itself.
Carlos further accused Logico of circulating false information about a lecture she delivered. She denied claims that anyone walked out of her class.
“In all my 60 years of teaching, no one has walked out of my lecture,” Carlos said, insisting the allegation was untrue.
NBI Director Matibag said the bureau would send letters to both Tarriela and Logico to get their versions of events. Tarriela stated he was ready to cooperate, while Logico declined to comment until he receives a copy of the complaint.