China creating 'divisions' among Filipinos amid WPS issue, says Año

China is creating "divisions" among Filipinos amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said Friday.

"China's multifaceted approach includes information operations that are specifically designed to create divisions within our nation, as we strive to unite the Filipino people in our stance on the West Philippine Sea issue," Año said in a speech on Pag-asa Island. 

"It is critical for us to convey a powerful and united message that counters their falsehoods and eventually unites our fellow Filipinos in this important issue." 

Año visited Pag-asa Island to witness the inauguration of a newly constructed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) building, a facility that will help effectively monitor activities near the island. 

It was Año's second visit to the island, the first one being in 2017 when he was chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). 

AFP Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos accompanied Año to the naval outpost on the island where the security adviser saw for himself at least 10 Chinese militia vessels, a China coast guard vessel, and a China Navy warship in the distance. 

In his speech, Año noted that China's bullying and harassment in the West Philippine Sea has brought about a "resurgence of patriotism" among Filipinos. 

He lamented, however, that due to limited release of information in the previous years, "many Filipinos had doubted the reality of Chinese harassment towards our fishermen, including our personnel."

Año said he is anticipating China's behavior to change but the Philippines is ready to meet it. 

"Magkakaroon ng pagbabago sa mga unruly, bullying, aggressive behavior particularly ng China sa ating mga fishermen, sailor, Coast Guard na nagpa-patrol dito sa West Philippine sea. We are always prepared, we are not deterred and intimidated," he said.

(There will be changes in China's unruly, bullying, aggressive behavior particularly to our fishermen, sailors, and Coast Guard personnel who are patrolling the West Philippine Sea.) 

GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy through Viber for its comment, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

The visit took place amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea resulting from China's actions, including those toward Philippine vessels conducting resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal.

China has justified its actions, saying the Philippine vessels were trespassing into their territory. Beijing calls Ayungin Shoal Renai Reef.

Also known as the Second Thomas Shoal, Ayungin Shoal is 105 miles (109 km) off the Philippine island of Palawan.

A small number of Philippine troops live on board the old navy transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which the Philippines grounded on the shoal in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claim.   —KBK, GMA Integrated News