AFP on China claim: Audio can be forged with deep fakes

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said it wouldn't dignify China's claims that it agreed to "a new model" for conduct in the Ayungin Shoal, saying audio recordings could be manufactured with deep fake technology.

In a statement, AFP chief of staff General Romeo Brawner said China's claim of an audio recording allegedly between Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and a Chinese diplomat did not merit significant concern "as it appears to be a malign influence effort from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)."

"Transcripts can easily be fabricated, and audio recordings can be manufactured by using deep fakes," Brawner said.

Brawner said such reports only served "as a distraction from the China Coast Guard’s ongoing aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea."

"The AFP remains to be a professional organization. We urge the public and the media to handle such reports with care and to avoid spreading unverified information that could further escalate tensions or mislead public opinion," Brawner said.

In Beijing, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian said the facts were "clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied."

"During Monday’s briefing, I outlined the basic facts regarding what happened between China and the Philippines in terms of managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao. Yesterday, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released details about the relevant communication between the two sides," Lin said.

"The facts are clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied," he added.

A major Manila newspaper on Tuesday reported that its source played a two-minute recording of a phone call in January 2024 between the Chinese side and a Philippine military official, said to be the chief of the AFP Western Command.

Carlos was the chief of the AFP-WESCOM at that time.

A transcript of the conversation was reportedly also provided.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday said those responsible in recording the alleged conversation between Chinese and Filipino officials about the supposed “new model” deal over Ayungin Shoal be should be expelled from the Philippines.

In an ambush interview during a maritime security symposium, Teodoro said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will investigate the matter as this can be considered as a violation of the wiretapping law.

“Ito ay iiwanan namin sa DFA na alamin ang katotohanan kung ano talaga ang nangyari at kung ito talaga ay nangyari dahil ito ay gawain di umano ng Chinese embassy mismo na paglabag sa batas ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” he said.

(We will leave it to the DFA to find out the truth of what really happened. And if it really happened because  allegedly the Chinese embassy violated the law of the Republic of the Philippines.)

“Dapat alamin kung sino ang responsable dito at alisin sa Republika ng Pilipinas (We must find out who is responsible for this and remove it from the Republic of the Philippines),” he added.

He made the statement when asked about the reports on the alleged leak of a recording of a supposed conversation between a Chinese embassy diplomat and a Philippine official on the “new model” deal over Ayungin Shoal.

“May pahayag ang Chinese Embassy sa Pilipinas na mayroon kunong alleged reporting sa isang kawani ng Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Teodoro said.

(The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has a statement that there is alleged reporting to a staff member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.)

“The authenticity of which I doubt, even the propensity of the Chinese government to engage in malign information activities. Ngayon, ito ang dapat nating tutukan at dapat intindihin ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.

(The authenticity of which I doubt, even the propensity of the Chinese government to engage in malignant information activities. Now, this is what we should focus on and our countrymen should understand.) —NB, GMA Integrated News