A top National Security Council (NSC) official on Tuesday criticized Bayan Muna for opposing the government’s acquisition of the BrahMos cruise missile system, accusing the group of amplifying China’s propaganda.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said Bayan Muna’s stance no longer reflects Filipino interests. “Let’s call a spade a spade: Bayan Muna is not advocating for the national interest, it is now speaking for Beijing,” he said in a statement.
Malaya was responding to Bayan Muna executive vice president Carlos Zarate, who earlier claimed the missile deal could lead to an arms race and increase regional tensions.
“Zarate’s statement against the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a repetition of China’s official propaganda line. Their talking points are exactly the same as those of Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning,” Malaya said, referencing similar calls by Beijing to remove US missiles in the Philippines.
“The only difference? One speaks Mandarin, the other pretends to speak for the masses and the people,” he added.
Malaya said labeling the acquisition of the BrahMos system as “warmongering” or a “waste” ignores the growing threats in the West Philippine Sea.
“Bayan Muna is practically demanding that we disarm in the face of mounting Chinese aggression… While Chinese ships swarm our waters… Bayan Muna would have the Filipino people surrender our right to defend ourselves,” he said.
He stressed that both the BrahMos missile and the planned US Typhon system are defensive measures aimed at strengthening the country’s deterrence posture.
“These are not weapons of offensive war, they are tools of deterrence. These strengthen our defense posture to protect our shores, assert our sovereign rights, and uphold regional stability based on international law,” Malaya said.
“Public funds spent on defense are not ‘wasted’—they are investments in freedom, sovereignty, and peace. Defense is not the enemy, foreign aggression is,” he added.
