China claim of destroyed fishing nets another 'malign influence' ops—AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said China's recent claim that the Philippine Navy destroyed its fishing nets in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea was another example of its "malign influence operation."

“It seeks to distract from the real issue at hand: their ongoing illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions and activities in the West Philippine Sea,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margerath Padilla said.

"We will not dignify these claims with a detailed response. It is important to reiterate that the presence of Chinese vessels within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is illegal and provocative," she added.

The military spokesperson said the Philippines "has sovereign rights over these waters, as recognized under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

Chinese state media Xinhua News Agency earlier reported that the Philippine Navy has destroyed fishing nets set by Chinese fisherfolk in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal. 

It added the Navy pulled 100 meters of fishing net onto the “illegal beach warship” BRP Sierra Madre after the Chinese fisherfolk left.

Earlier, the Philippine Navy also presented a video to debunk the Chinese state media’s claim that Filipino troops pointed guns at Chinese agents on May 19.

The video showed that Chinese agents went close to BRP Sierra Madre when supplies were dropped in the area. 

China claims parts of the South China Sea, including areas in the Philippines' EEZ.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said China’s claim over the West Philippine Sea has no legal basis, but Beijing did not honor the decision.—LDF, GMA Integrated News