VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Incoming security adviser Clarita Carlos contradicts Marcos Jr.’s latest stance on Ukraine-Russia war

Contrary to a March 4 statement of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urging Russia “to respect Ukraine’s freedom,” incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said the Philippines should remain “neutral” in the ongoing war.

Marcos Jr., however, sang a different tune on the issue on March 1, based on at least two media reports quoting him as saying: “I don’t think there is a need to take a stand. We are not involved, except for our nationals.”

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Carlos made the statement in a briefing aired on the government station PTV4  days before the courtesy call of Russian ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov on Marcos Jr. and outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

She added that Russia “might be able to supply [the Philippines] with our much-needed oil and gas” and the country “should take advantage of that.”

In a press briefing after his meeting with Marcos Jr., Pavlov mentioned that the incoming president said a “few words regarding the situation” in Ukraine.

“As far as I know, the president-elect would like to continue his independent policy and to cooperate with [the] Russian federation,” he added.

BACKSTORY

On Feb. 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, setting off economic and political sanctions by G-7 countries – United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Canada, Germany, Italy – and the European Union.

Speaking about increasing global oil prices in a May 23 Talk to the People broadcast, Duterte said the war should be solved first “before we can talk of even returning to normalcy.” He also denounced the killings in Ukraine, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin should “control his troops.”