Pro-China narratives from Filipinos exist — PCG spox Tarriela

MANILA, Philippines —  Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela warned the public against China-leaning parroted narratives of some Filipinos.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Monday, Tarriela cited three narratives that promote Chinese narratives to downplay its aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Tarriela first pointed out that the narratives indicate that speaking up against China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea can lead to an armed conflict. 

“Exposing China's aggression is not inciting war. By keeping our political leaders and countrymen aware of China’s violations of international law, we are safeguarding our country from political manipulation and disinformation,” the PCG spokesman said.

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Tarriela also pointed out the narrative of the Philippines operating under the influence of the United States’ interests. 

“Our transparency efforts are driven by our own national interest - the protection of the Philippines’ maritime rights. The Philippine Coast Guard and other government agencies are utilizing their own resources to document and monitor Beijing's aggression in the West Philippine Sea,” the PCG spokesperson said.

Tarriela then highlighted the recent initiative of bringing journalists to the West Philippine Sea to "ensure accurate and unbiased reporting of the events they witness."

“The PCG does not have editorial control over what these journalists report. Our dedication to transparency is independent of any external influence, and we prioritize the dissemination of factual information to the public,” he said.

Lastly, Tarriela mentioned that pro-China individuals are labeling those critical of China as "anti-Filipino and pro-US."

He said that experts and government officials critical of China's actions in the West Philippine Sea are motivated by their “dedication to the Philippines.”

“Their arguments are rooted in international law, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Philippine Constitution. These individuals take principled positions based on defending our national interests,” he said.

The parroted pro-Beijing narratives were