In a recent statement, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, raised alarms about the active role of pro-China vloggers in spreading disinformation. Speaking at a House Tri Committee inquiry, Tarriela highlighted how these influencers are distorting the truth about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and misleading the Filipino public. He stressed the importance of holding such online personalities accountable for content that undermines national unity and serves foreign interests.
Tarriela expressed his support for the House of Representatives’ initiative to conduct a public hearing on the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media. He sees this as a crucial step towards enacting laws that would make trolls, influencers, and bloggers responsible for their online posts. He identified disinformation as a major obstacle to the Philippine government’s efforts in the WPS, only surpassed by China’s direct confrontations.
He pointed out that the previous administration had fostered a false sense of security among Filipinos by suggesting that the situation in the WPS was managed and that China had reduced its aggressive behavior. This narrative, coupled with limited reporting on incidents, misled the public into believing that diplomatic efforts had successfully negotiated with Chinese President Xi Jinping to allow Filipino fishermen to operate freely.
For President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to uphold his promise of defending Philippine sovereignty, Tarriela believes it is essential to unite the nation by revealing the true state of affairs in the WPS. He emphasized that awakening a sense of patriotism among Filipinos is key to unifying the country, which is deeply divided on many issues.
Tarriela detailed five common arguments used by pro-China vloggers to distort the truth and weaken the Philippines’ stance on the WPS issue. These include discrediting the 2016 arbitral ruling, asserting the historical legitimacy of China’s 10-dash line, twisting narratives around maritime incidents to blame the Philippines, portraying the Philippines as a U.S. puppet, and suggesting that asserting rights against China would lead to war. He also noted that these vloggers often escalate tensions by ignoring China’s long history of expansionism.
Beyond spreading false narratives, these vloggers also target individuals who challenge China’s actions with personal attacks. Tarriela himself became a target of such campaigns, facing fabricated allegations aimed at discrediting him, including claims about his past and supposed financial dealings.
Despite these challenges, Tarriela noted a significant increase in public awareness and support for the government’s efforts to defend the WPS. Recent surveys show that 84% of Filipinos back the national government’s actions to assert maritime rights, and a majority are unlikely to support pro-China candidates in future elections.
However, as awareness grows, Tarriela warned that pro-China vloggers might intensify their efforts to manipulate online narratives and influence national policies. He called for stronger regulations on social media to combat foreign-influenced disinformation and protect national security. Through legislative action and public vigilance, he believes the Philippines can counteract these deceptive narratives and uphold the truth.