Differing opinions escalated to a heated exchange of words between a retired air force general and incumbent security officials. Former Air Force Gen. Romeo Poquiz, who retired as a major general in 2014, questioned the country’s trajectory nine years after the 2016 arbitral ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ rights and invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. “Yes, we won—on paper. Yes, the world recognized our claim. But let’s face the truth: China didn’t back down,” Poquiz said in a Facebook post. At the same time, however, the retired general who has become a social media commentator on Philippine affairs, including the last elections, which he deemed to be incredible, also lashed out at the United States.

Dumalag, G. (2025, July 19). Generals clash over West Philippine Sea views. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.