“President Marcos Jr.’s firm stance that ‘we will not yield’ is not just political rhetoric; it’s a necessary psychological counterattack”
THE battle for the West Philippine Sea is not just about ships and territorial waters; it’s a war of narratives, and China is waging an aggressive and well-funded propaganda campaign against the Filipino people.
As Chairman Emeritus of four patriotic and civic-oriented organizations, I believe it’s my duty to stand up and fight in this war of words.
The Philippines is under attack on two fronts: the physical incursions of Chinese vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone and the constant barrage of misinformation aimed at dividing us and undermining our trust in the government.
China wants to make Filipinos feel small, weak, and helpless so that we surrender not by force of arms. This is why President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm stance that “we will not yield” is so critical. It’s not just political rhetoric; it’s a necessary psychological counterattack.
Recent reports of thousands of Chinese maritime militia, fishing boats, and coast guard ships within our EEZ show that this is more than just normal maritime activity—it’s a clear test of our resolve.
And the Philippine Coast Guard’s swift response to the alarming incident in Bajo de Masinloc, where two Chinese vessels recklessly collided, shows they are up to the task.
I fully support the Philippine Coast Guard. They are the true defenders of our seas and our sovereignty, our frontline shield against aggression. The Filipino people must rally behind them with the same resolve they show every day.
My mission, alongside other patriotic voices, is to help the President neutralize the propaganda element of China’s aggression.
As a veteran in public communications, I know we need a sustained and coordinated narrative that exposes China’s actions to both domestic and international audiences.
We must drown out the lies with the truth, and we must do so plainly, consistently, and unapologetically.
Every fisherman who is harassed, every patrol shadowed, every reef stolen must be documented, publicized, and condemned in the strongest terms.
The fight against this disinformation is not just the government’s responsibility; it belongs to all of us. The more united we are in telling the truth, the harder it will be for Beijing’s lies to take root.
The President already has the diplomatic and military machinery in place to assert our rights at sea.
My job is to help fortify the public’s confidence, to ensure no Filipino falls for China’s false narratives, and to keep our people vigilant.
The stakes are nothing less than the soul of our nation. If they take our seas, they take our future. If they take our story, they take our identity. We must never allow either to happen.
(The author, who holds an LLB, master’s in public administration, master’s in national security administration and a doctorate in philosophy, is Chairman Emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas and Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement.)
