Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Tuesday 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 investigating 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.
“Within two years, when our administration started publicizing the incidents happening in the [WPS], we saw a high number of fake news and disinformation and misinformation when it comes to [WPS],” Tarriela said.
In his presentation before the joint committee, the PCG official 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], they were the very first people who spread this false information,” Tarriela explained.
Disseminators are “soulless” troll accounts with no identity, while reposters are fellow Filipinos who echo the narratives. “The general public is actually the victim. Sometimes they believe that there is no [WPS], sometimes they believe that America is just instigating us,” 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.
He said the identified bloggers also promote other related narratives, largely reflecting pro-China sentiments. Lawmakers responded with concern. House Assistant Majority Leader and Manila 1st District Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. insisted that all these pro-China bloggers 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. He warned that people in his district would not tolerate such attacks on the country and called on Filipinos to stand united against China’s negative narratives.