Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), denounced China’s “influence operations” aimed at distorting the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in addressing issues in the WPS.

In a statement Friday, Feb. 20, Tarriela said Beijing was attempting to shape public discourse by promoting the narrative that only the DFA should speak on WPS matters.

“Let me be clear and unequivocal: I did not, and would never, suggest—particularly in a public forum—that the DFA is becoming a ‘troll’ or is acting in any improper manner,” Tarriela said.

The clarification came after Tarriela’s remarks at a Stratbase ADR Institute and Canadian Embassy forum on cybersecurity where he discussed Beijing’s alleged efforts to influence public discourse.

In his prepared speech, he said Beijing’s strategy included “trolls and online commentators arguing that the Department of Foreign Affairs should be the sole entity handling West Philippine Sea issues.”

He added that such operations could confuse Filipinos and make them doubt whether diplomats were “aligned with trolls and the Chinese government.”

Tarriela stressed that his remarks were directed at China’s external influence operations, not aimed at the DFA or its officials.

“What I intended to convey was that the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) operations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) seek to exploit prevailing narratives, including those relating to the Philippines’ role as ASEAN host, in order to shape public discourse and sow confusion among the Filipino public,” he explained.

“My remarks were directed at these external influence operations—not at the DFA or its officials. I fully recognize and respect the professionalism, competence, and institutional role of the Department of Foreign Affairs,” he added.

Tarriela apologized to the DFA and reiterated that he did not accuse the agency of any wrongdoing.

“I regret any misunderstanding arising from the interpretation of my remarks and apologize to the DFA for any inconvenience caused by the need to address this matter publicly,” Tarriela said.

DFA spokesperson for Maritime Affairs Rogelio Villanueva Jr. has described Tarriela’s previous statements as “unfortunate.”

“I do not want to glorify the statement anymore but personally, we have the highest regards for our men in uniform and other fellow public servants and I think it’s not too much to expect the same,” Villanueva said.

The incident was the latest development in the tense exchange of sharp words involving Tarriela and Chinese diplomats over issues in the WPS.

Tarriela, one of the main faces of the government’s “transparency initiative,” has accused Beijing of spreading false narratives about incidents at sea, including water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels in the WPS.

The Chinese Embassy, on the other hand, has repeatedly pushed back and criticized Tarriela’s remarks, accusing the PCG official of provoking tensions.

The embassy has also filed diplomatic protests over some of Tarriela’s public presentations, including his use of satirical images of Chinese President Xi Jinping during a university lecture.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea but Manila rejects the sweeping claims and cites the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims.