AFP Denounces ‘Old Video’ of Ayungin Shoal Incident
Philippines Denounces disinformation Campaign Over Ayungin Shoal Footage
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have strongly refuted claims circulating online, labeling footage of a recent incident in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as an “old video” and warning against a intentional disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating public perception.
old Footage Recycled to Mislead Public, Officials Say
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, expressed bewilderment over the Chinese Coast Guard‘s (CCG) decision to release footage of an incident that occured in June of the previous year. “I don’t know what’s the motivation of the Chinese Coast Guard kung bakit they have released this old video na nangyari na noong nakaraang taon pa. I don’t know really what is the main objective of the Chinese Coast Guard, what they are highlighting,” Tarriela stated in a recent interview.
The AFP echoed these sentiments, issuing a stern warning on Saturday against the proliferation of “fake news and deliberate disinformation” concerning their operations in the WPS.
AFP Issues Strong Warning Against Deceptive Tactics
In a statement released over the weekend, the AFP declared, “The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issues a strong warning against the spread of fake news and deliberate disinformation concerning our operations in the West Philippine Sea.”
The military further elaborated on the nature of these deceptive tactics: “We call out recent attempts to mislead the public by falsely labeling old or recycled footage as a ‘new’ incident in ayungin Shoal. These deceptive tactics are not only irresponsible – they aim to manipulate public perception,distort the truth,and weaken our shared resolve in asserting the nation’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”
GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment on the matter, but no response was available as of the time of publication.
Understanding Ayungin Shoal’s meaning
What is Ayungin Shoal and Why is it Importent?
Ayungin Shoal, referred to as Ren’ai Reef by China, is a submerged reef situated within the Spratly Islands archipelago in the South China Sea. This strategically vital location lies approximately 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, placing it firmly within the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).As per international maritime law, a nation holds exclusive rights over the economic resources of its EEZ, including the seabed and subsoil, to the exclusion of other states.
Competing Claims in the South China Sea
China asserts ownership over nearly the entirety of the South China Sea, a claim that overlaps with maritime territories claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, malaysia, and brunei. Specifically concerning the Spratly Islands, China and Taiwan both claim all of the islands, while Malaysia and the Philippines lay claim to portions of the archipelago.
International Ruling on China’s Claims
A landmark decision by an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague in 2016 declared that China’s expansive claims over the Philippines and the South China Sea lacked any legal basis. However, China has consistently refused to recognize this ruling.