October 26, 2026

Soon after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth branded Confucius Institutes a "threat to national security," Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela wasted no time echoing this claim. An official meant to focus on maritime law enforcement is now pushing the confrontational rhetoric into education and culture. 

On Sunday local time, Tarriela reposted Hegseth's remarks about Confucius Institutes, claiming that these institutes have a mission of "infiltrating the minds of students." He suggested that the same phenomenon is happening in the Philippines and declared that "Beijing's campaign against the Philippines is not waged only at sea. It is also waged in classrooms."

What makes these remarks striking is not only the accusations against Chinese educational and cultural exchanges but also the figure making them. At first glance, one might mistake Tarriela for "the Philippine defense secretary" or "foreign secretary." In reality, he is merely the spokesman for the PCG. 

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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202610/1373017.shtml