Tarriela exposes 2 Pinoy bloggers as spreaders of disinformation on West Philippine Sea

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday, April 8, tagged two Filipino bloggers behind the alleged “coordinated and malicious” campaign on social media that defends China and discredits the Philippine position on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

PCG Spokesman on the WPS Jay Tarriela, during the House tri-committee (tri-comm) hearing on fake news, identified Anna Malindog-Uy and Ado Paglinawan as those who allegedly post content amplifying pro-China disinformation.

Tarriela claimed that their narratives include blaming the PCG for sea confrontations, defending controversial Chinese-linked Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), as well as dismissing the presence of Chinese spies in the country.

“[Uy] is actually narrating a narrative that it is the [PCG] who rammed the China Coast Guard vessel,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tarriela cited Paglinawan’s post, where he called the WPS issue “lunacy” and accused senators of “disgracefully” grilling former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo--an alleged Chinese spy.

“Sa loob po ng dalawang taon, nang magsimula po ang ating administrasyon sa pagpa-publicize ng mga incident na nangyayari sa [WPS] ay nakita po natin ang mataas na bilang ng pagtaas ng fake news and disinformation and misinformation pagdating sa usapin ng [WPS] (In the past two years, since the administration started publicizing incidents at the West Philippine Sea, we also saw a rise in fake news, disinformation and misinformation regarding the West Philippine Sea),” Tarriela said.

Manila Bulletin has sought for comment both from Uy and Paglinawan regarding Tarriela’s remark.

Uy denied being a blogger. She said she is"a scholar, a commentator, and a columnist.

"This distinction may seem trivial to some, but it is fundamental, especially to someone like Commodore Tarriela, who appears unable or unwilling to grasp the difference. Yet despite that lack of clarity, he has been quick to hurl accusations," Uy said.

She also said that her commentaries on her social media platforms "are anchored in rigorous research, critical analysis, and intellectual inquiry." She added that "they are not shaped by sensationalism or driven by political agendas."

Paglinawan, on the other hand, is yet to respond.

Meanwhile, in a presentation before the tri-comm, Tarriela identified three layers of the ongoing disinformation: initiators, disseminators, and reposters.

“We call them initiators because if we’re going to trace the misinformation and fake news about [WPS], sila ang pinakaunang mga tao na nagpakalat ng maling information ito (they are the first ones who start spreading wrong information),” Tarriela explained.

Disseminators, he said, are “soulless” troll accounts with no identity, while reposters are fellow Filipinos who echo the narratives.

“The general public is actually the victim,” he said.

Tarriela also outlined six recurring false narratives: that the Philippines has no legal basis in the WPS, the issue is not a priority, the government is provoking China, war is inevitable, the country is being dictated upon by the United States (US) and WPS spokespersons are corrupt.

“Kami daw po ang bumangga sa China Coast Guard (They claimed we're the ones who rammed into the China Coast Guard vessel),” he said. “Sinabi nilang CIA ako… may tatlong black bag… tumatanggap ako ng four million US dollars (They said I'm a CIA agent, I have three black bags and receive four million US dollars).”

He said the two bloggers also promote other related themes.

“Una (First), they always counter our position in the [WPS]. Secondly, they also defend Alice Guo and the POGO. Third, they are also denying the presence of Chinese spies na nahuli ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) ng mga nakaraan (who were arrested recently by the NBI),” Tarriela said.

Lawmakers responded with concern, with House Assistant Majority Leader and Manila 1st district Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. insisting that all these pro-China bloggers must be exposed.

“We really have to find out who these people are. The committee will not stop,” Dionisio said.

Dionisio also urged vloggers to create content that defend national interest.

He warned that people in his district would not tolerate such attacks on the country and called on Filipinos to stand united against China’s false narratives.