THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it is working to counter the “disinformation campaign” being waged by China in connection with the territorial dispute at the West Philippine Sea.
DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said they are using “facts and strategic communications” to counter the disinformation, adding Beijing is doing this as part of its strategy to sow doubts in the minds of Filipinos.
“China actively pursues disinformation campaigns using official government channels, state media, and possibly, troll farms to propagate falsehoods,” she said in a maritime security forum.
To address the disinformation campaign, Lazaro said, the Philippines is “working with like-minded countries” to counter such activities as well as malign influence.
“We must continue to categorically reject these narratives when we can,” she added.
Lazaro said Beijing’s disinformation campaign includes claiming that the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is invalid, that China has “historical and indisputable sovereignty over features in the South China Sea, and that it is Manila that is causing trouble in the disputed waterway.
The 2016 arbitral award junked China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, saying Beijing’s nine-dash line claim has no historical and legal basis. However, China refused to honor or abide by the arbitral ruling.
Lazaro said another tack that China is pursuing is to brand the Philippines as a pawn of the United States.
“They claimed the Philippines, together with the US, is causing trouble in the South China Sea, when in fact it is China that continues to undertake aggressive actions, using water cannons and lasers. They claimed the Philippines is being used by the US which is not true. This is simplistic as it disregarded our legitimate rights,” she said.
Lazaro said a recent disclosure by China about the existence of so-called “gentleman’s agreement” is also part of the disinformation playbook, as well as its claim that the Philippines, with the US, is building “bloc alliances to contain China,” apparently referring to the trilateral meeting last April among President Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during which the South China Sea dispute was tackled.
Lazaro also said no official of the Marcos administration entered into any agreement with China regarding the Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal as only the president “can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the Philippine Government on matters pertaining to the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.”
Lazaro said another tack of China is to pin the blame on anything provocative that happened in the South China Sea.
Lazaro also reiterated the Philippines does not want conflict in the South China Sea, adding that its acts are “fully anchored in our desire for peace and stability not only in the South China Sea but also in the entire region.”
But she said the government will continue to uphold the country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and protect its maritime entitlements as provided for in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 arbitral award.
She added the country will further enhance its partnership with allies and friends, adding that at present, Manila has 10 maritime dialogue partners, including the US, European Union, United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, India, Japan and Vietnam.
RECORDING
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr expressed doubts on the authenticity of a supposed recording of conversation between a military commander and a Chinese diplomat about the so-called “new model” concerning a Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal feature in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
On the sidelines of the Maritime Security Symposium 2024 organized by the Philippine Navy, Teodoro said he does not believe in the legitimacy of the recording “given the propensity of the Chinese government to engage in maligned information activities.”
Echoing the DFA’s statement, Teodoro said it is only the President, through the DFA, who can enter into any agreement concerning the West Philippine Sea or matters that has international significance.
He also said, “If this statement really came from the Chinese embassy, that they recorded someone from the Philippines, they are admitting they violated a Philippine law, particularly the anti-wiretapping law,”
The supposed new model which seeks to manage the conflict at the Philippine-held Ayungin Shoal was first by disclosed by the Chinese embassy about three weeks ago. It resurfaced over a week ago, prompting the denials from Teodoro and the office of National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
Last Saturday, the Chinese Embassy said Teodoro and Año were among key Philippine government officials who approved the new model. The two denied approving the agreement, which they stressed is non-existent.
The Chinese Embassy also claimed the military’s Western Command (Wescom) made “repeated confirmation” on the existence of the new model. The Armed Forces denied the claim of the Chinese embassy.
On Wednesday, reports said the Chinese embassy the phone call last January between Wescom chief Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, who went on leave starting Tuesday, and an unnamed Chinese diplomat.
In the conversation, Carlos allegedly agreed to a Chinese diplomat’s protocols pertaining to the conduct of Philippine resupply missions at Ayungin Shoal.
Teodoro said the defense department is leaving it up the DFA to look into the matter since this involves Chinese embassy’s violation of a Philippine law.
“Those responsible should be identified and remove from the Philippines,” said Teodoro.
“I repeat, if this (recording) indeed came from the Chinese embassy, are they admitting they violated a law of the Republic of the Philippines? That is the question that should be asked of them,” he said.
Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, also at the sidelines of the symposium, said the audio recording was part of China’s disinformation campaign.
“Anybody could say anything. These stories will be rehashed. We have to understand that today’s warfare is a battle of narratives…” he said.
On whether the military has inquired from Carlos about the alleged conversation, Trinidad said, “The person is on leave.”
Carlos has gone on leave, citing personal reason, effective last Tuesday.
“We will not dignify reports like that. Again, it’s a zombie story. Let’s bring it back to where it rightfully belongs — to the grave,” said Trinidad.
MODELS
Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros challenged China to provide copies to the Philippine government of the supposed recording.
She said the last time she heard of a “new model” with regard to the issues at West Philippine Sea was in 2016 when the Philippines won at the arbitral court.
She said there was also a “new model” when the Senate passed the country’s Maritime Zones Act which defines the Philippines’ territory.
“If they are claiming such thing, they should prove it. And of course, that would become material to the investigation in relation to the resolution that I filed on the `gentleman’s agreement,’” she said in Filipino.
Hontiveros was referring to the supposed agreement entered into by former President Duterte with China in connection with the issues on WPS.
Hontiveros’ resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations headed by Sen. Imee Marcos.
Hontiveros said she would like the committee to invite Duterte so they can all hear the facts from him. — With Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
