Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday, November 3 said he is unbothered by the “coordinated” attacks he is receiving lately from vloggers and trolls on various social media platforms due to his firm stance on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“I am not bothered by the attacks and character assassination of late. Because I know deep in my heart and in my mind that I am fighting for our country’s sovereignty and interest,” Ejercito said in a statement. 

“Doing so does not mean I am inciting an armed conflict. Far from it, but I cannot and will not fall for the aggressor’s narrative,” he said. 

Ejercito, in his X (formerly Twitter) account, posted that :”Walang masama sa pagiging makabayan! Hindi ako pro-US, ako ay pro-Filipino. Inaagaw na ang teritoryo natin ng harap-harapan, ganyan pa ang banat ng ilan grupo sa mga pumapalag sa pambabastos ng Tsina? (There’s nothing wrong with being patriotic. I am not pro-US, I’m pro-Filipino. Our territory is being seized from us face-to-face, and yet some groups are call you out for when you complain about China’s disrespectful ways)?”

Netizens had mixed reactions on Ejercito’s post but the lawmaker said he is astonished to witness that some Filipinos are actually siding “with those who are occupying” Philippine territory. 

Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro had earlier warned that disinformation and information operations “are in China’s playbook” and thus, the government is doubling efforts to counter the narratives Beijing is pushing around. 

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya earlier also disclosed that China had been using “operators” to divide Filipinos on the WPS issue.

“It’s to their advantage that we’re divided as a nation. They are undermining our country’s position through their political operators here at a time when we need to be united and show the world that we are supporting the Philippines’ stand,” Malaya said.