Philippine Coast Guard reveals promotion of "pro-China narratives" by certain fellows
On Monday, a spokesperson from the Philippine Coast Guard issued a caution regarding the propagation of "pro-China narratives" by certain groups, aimed at diverting attention away from Beijing's assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, Jay Tarriela, the PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, identified three "claims, arguments, and accusations" used by individuals who assert their pro-Filipino stance while simultaneously endorsing Chinese narratives, often contradicting factual reports from Philippine authorities.
The initial claim asserts that expressing opposition to China's assertive actions in the West Philippine Sea would potentially lead to a military conflict.
"Also, by calling out China’s bad behavior at sea, we highlight which party is really responsible for raising tensions and increasing the likelihood of a kinetic conflict,” Tarriela said.
He mentioned that the second argument employed by those supporting China's interests is the assertion that the Philippines' transparency regarding Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea is primarily influenced by the United States.
Tarriela emphasized that the Philippines' commitment to transparency is rooted in its own national interests, specifically, safeguarding the nation's maritime rights.
"The Philippine Coast Guard and other government agencies are utilizing their own resources to document and monitor Beijing's aggression in the West Philippine Sea. For instance, the PCG has chosen to embed Filipino news journalists to ensure accurate and unbiased reporting of the events they witness," he said.
He further discussed that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) does not exert control over the content of journalists' reports. Our commitment to transparency remains independent of any external influences, and our primary goal is to provide the public with accurate information.
Furthermore, he pointed out that individuals favoring China's interests tend to label critics of China as "anti-Filipino and pro-US."
"Their arguments are rooted in international law, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Philippine Constitution. These individuals take principled positions based on defending our national interests.”
