ASEAN HEADLINE-GEOPOLITICS: Ex-Wescom chief says he made no secret deal
THE former commander of the Western Command (Wescom), Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, told the Senate Wednesday that he did not make any secret deals with China on a “new model” to manage resupply missions to Filipino troops on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
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Testifying before the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Carlos — who is at the center of a wiretapping scandal — admitted receiving a phone call in early January from a Chinese military attaché whom he identified as “senior Col. Li.”
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingBut he said that the supposed agreement on a “new model” to handle the Ayungin situation was never part of their conversation, which lasted only about three to five minutes.
Carlos, who was relieved as Wescom chief only recently, said Li had initiated the call and that he did not allow anyone to record their conversation. Carlos declined to discuss the matter publicly and said he would reveal this in a closed-door meeting or an executive session. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, who was invited to the hearing, was a no-show. The Chinese Embassy did not reply to media queries on why it did not send any representative to the wiretapping inquiry. The embassy on May 7 released the supposed transcript of the taped conversation between Carlos and Li, which showed that the former Wescom head agreed to the said new model to address the sea row.
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TRIVIA
Alberto Carlos
| Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines‘ Western Command | |
|---|---|
| In office January 24, 2022 – May 2024 |
|
| President | Rodrigo Duterte Bongbong Marcos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 1967 (age 56) |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Navy |
| Years of service | 1989 – present |
| Rank |  Vice Admiral |
| Unit |
|
Alberto Bernardo Carlos (born December 1967) is a vice admiral in the Philippine Navy who headed the Armed Forces of the Philippines–Western Command (AFP–WESCOM)
Education
Carlos graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1989 as part of the Makatao class.[1]
The PMA would send him to the United States Naval Academy in 1989,[2] obtaining a bachelor’s degree in computer science with merit.[1]
He also attended China’s Naval Command College in Nanjing in 2008 as part of an intergovernmental program.[3][4] He finished a general staff course.[1]
Career
Carlos have headed the Philippine Fleet of the Philippine Navy and served as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.[5]
Western Command
Then-President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Carlos to head the Armed Forces of the Philippines–Western Command on January 17, 2022.[5] He officially assumed the position on January 24, when his predecessor Roberto Enriquez reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.[6] The position deals with the Philippines’ military engagements which involves it’s sovereign claims in the South China Sea territorial dispute.[7]
He had been personally been on board in resupply mission by the Philippines for features they occupy in the South China Sea such as the mission for Second Thomas Shoal in December 2023 and another in February 2024 where he sustained injury from water canons fired by China Coast Guard ships.[3]
He was supposed to end his career in December 2023, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 but was given a one-year extension.[8]
Supposed China ‘new model’ agreement and removal
On May 7, 2024, Alfonso Torres Jr. was appointed as acting commander of WESCOM after Carlos went on a leave.[8] This is around the same period that China and its embassy in Manila claimed the Philippines agreed on a supposed “new model” agreement brokered by Carlos and an anonymous Chinese diplomat on dealing tensions in the Second Thomas Shoal.[7] On May 7 and 8 respectively, Bloomberg and the Manila Times published articles revolving around the deal based on an alleged transcript of the interaction which reportedly occurred in January 2024.[9][10][11]
Torres’ role would be made permanent and Carlos’ removal was officially characterized as motivated by an “administrative decision”.[7] No formal probe was conducted on him by the AFP out of respect on him being on leave.[12]
Personal life
Alberto has an older brother in the Philippine National Police; Dionardo Carlos who served as Police Chief.[5]
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