There has been an "alarming surge" in disinformation campaigns supposedly aimed at eroding the public's trust in the national government and its institutions, including the military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Friday, June 28.
General Romeo Brawner Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, said such efforts seek to "sow panic, divide our nation, and distract us from pressing issues that demand our collective attention."
"In these trying times, it is crucial for every Filipino to remain vigilant and critical of the information they encounter and share. Disinformation not only distorts the truth but also undermines our unity, making us vulnerable to external challenges that threaten our national security and stability," he said.
The military chief did not mention details of the disinformation campaigns the organization has monitored.
However, the AFP recently flagged several social media posts that pertain to the tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In one of the posts, a netizen posted a photo of an AFP Black Hawk helicopter dropping packages to troops onboard the Philippine Navy warship that was beached on the shoal.
It garnered mixed reactions and was reposted in different social media platforms. A social media user shared the photo and criticized the AFP for using sea vessels in bringing food and other provisions to troops manning the BRP Sierra Madre outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.
However, the AFP clarified that the photo used by the netizen was an old picture that was taken during a Christmas mission in the West Philippine Sea on Dec. 26, 2021 and "is not related to any current events."
The netizen responded by saying that the post was meant to highlight the use of aircraft by the AFP instead of sea vessels to do resupply missions.
The most violent resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal occured on June 17 when China Coast Guard (CCG) personnel rammed and boarded AFP boats, used weapons to destroy Filipino vessels and confiscate firearms. The chaos resulted in the dismemberment of a finger of a Philippine Navy trooper.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad earlier stressed that the use of civilian boats or aircraft in the conduct of resupply mission was part of the "operational mix" of the AFP, and is based on the prerogative of the commander of the Western Command (Wescom), which supervises the military operations in Palawan and the WPS.
Meanwhile, the AFP also flagged two more photos on social media: one claims a massive shipment of United States military supplies to the Philippines, and the other was a screenshot of a message allegedly coming from one "General David" about the AFP being put on a red alert status and receiving war equipment.
The AFP said the first photo actually featured a US aid delivery to Ukraine in 2022 while the second photo was labeled as a recycled "misinformation" which has been debunked in 2021.
"We urge the public to verify sources and seek information from credible and official channels. Let us stand together in the face of these desperate attempts to spread discord. Our strength lies in our unity, and together, we can overcome any challenge," Brawner said.
He said the AFP remains committed to its duty of protecting the nation and upholding the peace and security agenda of President Marcos Jr.
"We call on every Filipino to join us in this endeavor, fostering a spirit of solidarity and resilience against those who wish to weaken our resolve," Brawner noted.