Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong denounced on Monday, May 6, certain citizens of the country who have chosen to side with China on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

“Ang nakakasakit lang po dito as a citizen of this country, there are portion in our society that also double down on the wrong narrative of China. Parang they act as the mouthpiece of China. Doon ako medyo nagagalit,” said Adiong.

(The only thing that hurts here as a citizen of this country, there are portions in our society that also double-down on the wrong narrative of China. It's like they act as the mouthpiece of China. That's what angers me.)

Adiong made this remark during Monday’s regular press conference at the House of Representatives, where he questioned why some individuals have been easily convinced by China’s supposed propaganda tactics.

“May mga kasamahan po tayo (We have associates), segments of our society, are also becoming apologists for China, becoming the mouthpieces for China. Dino-double down nila lahat ng illegal claims ng China,” he stressed.

(They are doubling down on China's illegal claims.)

The lawmaker did not name anyone in particular in his tirade.

He, however, pointed out that individuals parroting the inaccurate claims of China is simply one of its several propaganda tactics.

“The Chinese is resorting to different kind of tactics, nandiyan yung (there’s the) bullying. They understand the importance of propaganda kasi (because) it puts legitimacy to their illegal claim,” said Adiong.

“Dapat sa ganitong usapin (On this matter), we have to side with our own, we have to side with anybody whose position really is to protect our national interest. Dapat tayo pumanig sa kapwa natin, dapat doon tayo pumanig sa mga taong ang kanilang interes ay protektahan ang ating teritorya at soberenya,” he added.

(We must side with our allies, we must side with those whose interest is to protect our territory and sovereignty.)

Adiong emphasized that President Marcos and the national government’s position in the WPS issue is “very clear,” as rooted in the 2016 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal ruling that favored the Philippines.

“And, internationally, we have the moral high ground to claim these areas in the West Philippine Sea,” he underscored.

Despite this historic victory at an international court, China has maintained its provocative actions on the WPS.

In February, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) warned of an increase in pro-China influencers and social media trolls as part of Beijing’s effort to control the narrative and confuse both Filipinos and the international audience.