DFA warns vs fake info on WPS situation

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned the public against fake information regarding the situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to Unang Balita’s report on Thursday.

“For far too long, the narratives surrounding the West Philippines Sea have been obscured by disinformation,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.

“Genuine photos and videos or those that are not AI-generated or digitally manipulated speak louder and more powerfully than a myriad attempts of disinformation and the peddling of false narratives,” he added.

To address this, the Philippines and the United States will have discussions about their cyber digital policies.

Tensions in the WPS continue amid China’s massive claim in the South China Sea (SCS) including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The South China Sea is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China does not recognize the decision.

On June 17, a Philippine Navy sailor lost his thumb and several others were injured after the China Coast Guard repeatedly rammed their rubber boats to stop them from delivering food supplies, firearms, and other necessities to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News