PCG urges Filipinos to combat fake news on West Philippine Sea issue on social media

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday asked Filipinos active on social media to combat fake news regarding the West Philippine Sea issue.

"Kaya ang bawat Pilipino ngayon, kung sakali, I am calling out all Filipino na mahilig mag-Facebook, mahilig gumamit ng social media, kung makakakita kayo ng fake news na lumalabas sa feed niyo, at least care to comment, share the right information," PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said at the Saturday News Forum held in Quezon City.

(That is why I am urging every Filipino, if possible, I am calling out all Filipinos who use Facebook, use social media, that if you see fake news on your feed, at least care to comment, share the right information.)

"This is the only way na maka-counter natin itong mga (that we can counter these) fake news peddlers na ito," he added.

"Huwag nating hayaan na mag-proliferate ito. Otherwise sa laban natin sa West Philippine Sea, matatalo tayo," Tarriela said.

(Let us not allow this to proliferate. Otherwise, in our fight for the West Philippine Sea, we will lose.)

In a tweet, the PCG spokesperson said if the fake news are not countered, false narratives that serve China's interests will be successfully disseminated.

"Not countering the spread of lies online risks allowing propaganda operatives and pretend experts in the country to successfully disseminate false narratives that serve only PRC interests. If need be, expose these ‘fake news’ purveyors so the public may know," Tarriela said.

"Regardless of your politics – whether you support President Marcos, the Dutertes, or Leni Robredo, ang laban sa WPS ay laban ng lahat ng Pilipino!" he added.

More vessels

Meanwhile, the PCG stands ready should the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) request for more vessels that will escort boats for resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal, following China’s water cannon blasting incident last week, Tarriela said in the same news forum.

Last weekend, the China Coast Guard (CCG) used water cannons against PCG vessels going to Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission at the BRP Sierra Madre.

Beijing claimed that the Philippine ships intruded into the Ayungin Shoal, which it said is part of its territory, and violated China's laws during the conduct of the resupply mission.

The Ayungin Shoal, however, is part of the Kalayaan Island Group, which is an integral part of the Philippines, as well as the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.

In 2016, the Philippines scored victory in a landmark ruling by an international tribunal that invalidated China's massive claims to nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, or the waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

China has refused to recognize the ruling, and has made repeated incursions into territories in the sea as well as conducted reclamation activities in the area. —KG, GMA Integrated News