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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP backs award-winning docu on WPS as China frowns

AFP backs award-winning docu on WPS as China frowns

Published Jul 5, 2025 12:01 pm
The team behind the documentary
The team behind the documentary "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" (Photos via Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) threw its support behind a documentary featuring the struggles of Filipino fishermen and government frontliners in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), but earned the ire of China.
The documentary “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” won the Best Picture Award under the Tides of Change Category at the internationally renowned Doc Edge Festival 2025 in New Zealand, an Oscar-qualifying documentary film festival.
“The AFP commends the film for powerfully capturing the everyday bravery and unwavering determination of Filipino fishermen and AFP personnel stationed in the West Philippine Sea, those who risk their lives daily to assert the country’s sovereignty and secure the livelihood of coastal communities,” the AFP said in a statement on Saturday, July 5.
The military said it is dedicated to collaborate with stakeholders to shed light on matters about the country’s fight for the WPS. Manila and Beijing are locked in a long-standing territorial dispute in the WPS.
“As guardians of Philippine sovereignty, the AFP remains committed to collaborating with the creative sector in inspiring national consciousness, preserving the truth, and honoring those who serve on the frontlines defending the nation’s core interests,” it noted.
Directed by award-winning documentarist Baby Ruth Villarama, Food Delivery tells of the territorial conflict between the Philippines and China in the WPS.
It captures the struggles of Filipino fishermen who risk their lives in the WPS to feed their families, as well as Philippine Navy (PN) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel who deliver supplies to the troops guarding the features occupied by the Philippines in the disputed waters during rotation and reprovision (RORE) missions.
The documentary had its world premiere last June 30 at The Capitol Cinema in Auckland after being withdrawn from screenings at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival in March.
According to New Zealand media, the Chinese consulate in New Zealand requested the festival organizers from screening the documentary in the future “interest of public and China-New Zealand relations.”
The Chinese consulate alleged that the documentary “is rife with disinformation and false propaganda, serving as a political tool for [the] Philippines to pursue illegitimate claims in the South China Sea,” according to New Zealand’s 1News.
However, Doc Edge general manager Rachael Penman reportedly refused the consulate’s request.
The Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS), an independent organization dedicated to fight disinformation, misinformation, and malign influence, criticized China for what it called an attempt to suppress freedom of expression.
“At CIRIS, we firmly believe that in the face of disinformation, misinformation, and malign influence (DMMI) campaigns, especially by foreign actors, transparent access to credible storytelling is a powerful defense,” it said.
“Food Delivery delivers an unflinching, human‑centered portrayal of sacrifice, struggle, and perseverance. Its message is more urgent than ever—and the PRC’s attempt at suppression only underscores the documentary’s importance,” the organization added.
CIRIS called on film festivals, media, and audiences worldwide to “reject coercion and stand with free expression.”
“Let this film’s powerful narrative be heard in full, unfiltered, and without fear,” it said.

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