False Sense of Security in West Philippine Sea: Duterte era’s Legacy of Misinformation
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela testified before the House of Representatives on Feb.18, 2025, directly linking a “false sense of security” among Filipinos regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to “misconceptions” fostered by the Duterte administration.
Testifying before a House tri-committee investigating online disinformation, Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the WPS, stated, “Notably one of the greatest challenges facing the Philippine government in the [WPS], aside from China’s bullying, unlawful activities, and aggressive actions, is combating the spread of fake news and disinformation that obscures the true narrative of events in the [WPS], leading to confusion and division among our people,”
He emphasized the difficulty of countering misinformation amidst China’s actions in the disputed waters.
Tarriela directly attributed the perceived lack of urgency to the previous administration’s approach. He noted,“When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022 and declared that he would not surrender an inch of our territory to any foreign power,many questioned the meaning behind his words,especially since the previous administration claimed that all was peaceful and under control in the [WPS],”
This,he argued,stemmed from a belief that the Duterte administration had effectively managed the situation in the WPS.
To support his point, Tarriela detailed specific incidents between 2016 and 2022, encompassing the Duterte presidency: “Between 2016 and 2022, only three incidents were reported in the media: the first in 2017 when Filipino fishermen reported their boat, FB Gimver, being rammed by the chinese maritime militia; the second in 2019 when an AFP-chartered resupply boat was hit by water cannons; and the last in 2021 when over 200 Chinese vessels were reported by the [PCG] swarming near Julian Felipe,”
The limited media coverage, coupled with the narrative of successful diplomatic efforts, contributed to the false sense of security, he claimed.
Tarriela connected this limited reporting to the current administration’s approach.He explained, “Thus, for President Marcos to deliver his commitment of not surrendering a square inch of our territory to any foreign power, he has to unite the Filipino people and the only way that we can unite our highly polarized country is to awaken their sense of patriotism,”
This underscores the challenge of uniting public opinion in the face of Chinese assertiveness.
The PCG official praised the House inquiry into fake news, stating, “I was genuinely pleased to learn about the House of Representatives’ decision to hold a public hearing addressing fake news, disinformation, and misinformation on social media. I believe this presents an prospect for us to finally establish legislation that holds trolls, influencers, and bloggers accountable for their online content.”
This reflects a growing concern about the impact of online disinformation on national security.
Pro-China Vloggers’ Disinformation Campaign
Tarriela detailed the strategies employed by pro-China vloggers, identifying five key arguments used to distort the narrative:
- Challenging the Philippines’ legal standing based on the 2016 arbitral ruling.
- Twisting the narrative on maritime incidents to blame the Philippines.
- Accusing the Philippines of being a US puppet.
- Spreading a defeatist mentality about confronting China.
- Blaming the Marcos administration for escalating tensions.
These tactics, Tarriela argued, aim to divide public opinion and weaken national resolve. He personally experienced these attacks, stating, “When we launched our transparency initiative aimed at exposing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, I was relatively unknown, having just returned from Tokyo after completing my PhD. Though, as we gained traction in the weeks following our launch, I became a target for these trolls who sought to tarnish my reputation,”
This personal anecdote highlights the intensity of the disinformation campaign.
Despite these efforts, Tarriela noted a positive shift in public awareness. He cited, “Fortunately, over the past two years, we have successfully achieved our objectives.Regarding the awareness of the Filipino people, a recent survey conducted by OCTA Research revealed that 84 percent of Filipinos support the national government’s efforts to defend and assert maritime rights in the [WP],”
This suggests that despite the disinformation campaign, public support for the government’s stance remains strong.
Headline:
unraveling the Legacy: How Misinformation in the West Philippine Sea Shaped Public Perception
Opening Statement:
In a world where truth is increasingly clouded by disinformation, the West Philippine Sea stands as a battleground not only for territorial disputes but also for the hearts and minds of the Filipino people. How did the narrative of a “peaceful” maritime region foster a false sense of security, and what does this mean for the future of national sovereignty?
Senior Editor of World-Today-News.com (ST):
To start, could you explain how the Duterte administration’s narrative might have contributed to a false sense of security among Filipinos regarding the West philippine Sea?
Expert:
The narrative set during the Duterte administration suggested that the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea where under control, largely due to effective diplomacy with China. This portrayal was problematic as it inadvertently downplayed the constant presence and assertiveness of Chinese activities in the region. By limiting media coverage of incidents and fostering a belief in peaceful coexistence, the administration created a disconnect between public perception and the geopolitical realities on the ground. As a result, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office and signaled a more assertive stance,many Filipinos were caught unprepared,questioning the perceived lack of urgency.
ST:
What were some of the specific incidents during the Duterte era that contradict the narrative of calm seas and how did they affect the national consciousness?
Expert:
Notably, there were three meaningful confrontations during this period: the ramming of the Filipino fishing boat FB Gimver in 2017, a Filipino resupply boat hit by Chinese water cannons in 2019, and a massive swarming of Chinese vessels near Julian Felipe Shoal in 2021. These incidents were sporadically reported, leading many Filipinos to underestimate the severity and frequency of Chinese maritime actions. Such incidents, when overshadowed by diplomatic rhetoric, reinforced a misleading image that eventually required rectification by the current administration.
ST:
How are public awareness and perception shifting under the current presidency, and what role has transparency played in this transition?
Expert:
Recent efforts, particularly the transparency initiatives by the Philippine Coast guard, have been pivotal in shifting public perception. By openly exposing instances of Chinese aggression and engaging with the public, the government has reinvigorated a sense of national awareness and urgency. A survey by OCTA Research highlights this shift, with 84% of Filipinos supporting the government’s firm stance on maritime rights. This growing awareness is crucial for fostering a united front against external pressures.
ST:
Could you delve into the tactics used by pro-China vloggers to spread disinformation and how effective they have been in shaping public opinion?
Expert:
pro-China vloggers employ a five-pronged strategy to manipulate public opinion. They challenge the Philippines’ legal standing, twist narratives to blame the Philippines in maritime incidents, paint the country as a US puppet, propagate a defeatist attitude towards China, and criticize the Marcos administration for tensions. These tactics aim to instill doubt, division, and passivity among the populace. Despite their efforts, the current administration’s transparency and public engagement have significantly mitigated their impact.
ST:
What lessons can other nations dealing with similar issues of misinformation and territorial disputes learn from the Philippines’ experience?
Expert:
The Philippine experience underscores the importance of transparency and public engagement in countering misinformation. Other nations can learn from this by prioritizing open communication channels,ensuring accurate media coverage,and educating the public about legal rights and geopolitical realities. Moreover,fostering a resilient national identity that can withstand external propaganda is crucial for maintaining sovereignty and public unity.
conclusion:
The battle in the West Philippine sea is not just over territorial waters but over the narrative itself. As the Philippines navigates this complex landscape, the lessons learned here can serve as a blueprint for other nations facing similar challenges. The importance of vigilance and transparency cannot be overstated in the age of data warfare.
Engage with Us:
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