WPS FAKE NEWS
PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela has exposed what he called a “coordinated and malicious” fake news campaign on social media that defends China and aims to discredit the position of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Speaking before the House Tri-Comm investigation on the proliferation of fake news and disinformation online, Tarriela said two Filipino vloggers—Anna Malindog Uy and Ado Paglinawan—have publicly posted content that amplifies pro-China disinformation.
Tarriela said their narratives include blaming the PCG for WPS confrontations, defending controversial Chinese-linked Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and dismissing the presence of Chinese spies.
“She is actually narrating a narrative that it is the [PCG] who rammed the China Coast Guard vessel,” Tarriela said of Uy.
On Paglinawan, he cited a post calling the WPS issue “lunacy” and accusing senators of “disgracefully” grilling former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, an alleged Chinese spy.
“Sa loob po ng dalawang taon, nang magsimula po ang ating administrasyon sa pagpa-publicize ng mga incident na nangyayari sa [WPS] ay nakita po natin ang mataas na bilang ng pagtaas ng fake news and disinformation and misinformation pagdating sa usapin ng [WPS],” Tarriela said.
In his presentation before the joint committee, Tarriela identified three layers behind the disinformation: initiators, disseminators and reposters.
“We call them initiators because if we’re going to trace the misinformation and fake news about [WPS], sila ang pinakaunang mga tao na nagpakalat ng maling information ito,” Tarriela explained.
Disseminators, he said, are “soulless” troll accounts with no identity, while reposters are fellow Filipinos who echo the narratives.
“The general public is actually the victim. Minsan naniniwala silang walang [WPS], minsan naniniwala silang tayo ay inuudyokan lang ng Amerika,” he noted.
Tarriela outlined six recurring false narratives: the Philippines has no legal basis in the WPS; the issue is not a priority; the government is provoking China; war is inevitable; the country is dictated by the United States; and WPS spokespersons are corrupt.
“Kami daw po ang bumangga sa China Coast Guard,” he said. “Sinabi nilang CIA ako… may tatlong black bag… tumatanggap ako ng 4 million U.S. dollars.”
He said the identified bloggers also promote other related themes.
“Una, they always counter our position in the [WPS]. Secondly, they also defend Alice Guo and the POGO. Third, they are also denying the presence of Chinese spies na nahuli ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) ng mga nakaraan,” Tarriela said.
Lawmakers responded with concern, with House Assistant Majority Leader and Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. insisting that all these pro-China vloggers must be exposed.
“We really have to find out who these people are. The Committee will not stop,” Dionisio said.
Dionisio also urged vloggers to create content that defends national interest.
