The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) cautioned the public on Saturday, August 12, from getting swayed by misinformation allegedly being peddled on social media to cast doubt on the government’s efforts to protect the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela called on the Filipinos to unite and evoke patriotism by countering “fake news” online as he expressed concern on the “growing” number of individuals who have become “mouthpieces” of China to “spread lies” on the internet.

“These peddlers have become mouthpieces of the Chinese government and they are active on social media. They share different stuff on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Unfortunately, most of the people are sometimes getting swayed,” Tarriela said.

He then called on all Filipinos, irrespective of their political affiliations, to “come together and support the government” by countering misiformation online as the battle over the West Philippine Sea “is the battle of every Filipino.”

“I’m calling [on] all Filipinos who like to use Facebook, who often use social media to learn to comment and shar the right information if you see fake news in your feed,” Tarriela said.

“This is the only way to counter fake news peddlers. Let us not allow these things to proliferate. Otherwise, we will lose our battle in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

Authorities have condemned China recently after several Chinese vessels performed dangerous maneuvers and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels who were supposed to transport supplies to troops onboard BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal last August 5.

However, the Chinese government justified their actions and said the Philippine vessels “trespassed” into their waters.

Ayungin Shoal is an atoll in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), Palawan that are both being claimed by Manila and Beijing. It is located at 106 nautical miles from Palawan within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, around 600 nautical miles from the nearest point of China.

Last August 10, Tarriela blasted Filipinos who defend and make excuses for China's aggressive behavior in the WPS, tagging them as “unpatriotic” and “a traitor to the Philippines and to our people.”