PCG spox: Fake news peddlers boost support for China amid incursion in WPS

MANILA, Philippines — Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said fake news peddlers are among the reasons why some Filipinos are siding with the Chinese government despite its continued incursion in the West Philippine Sea.

“Unfortunately, dito sa mga peddler kasi ng fake news, those people na naging mouthpiece na ng Chinese government to spread the lies, sila yung talagang active sa social media,” said Tarriela at a news forum held in Quezon City on Saturday.

(Unfortunately, these fake news peddlers and those who have become the mouthpiece of the Chinese government to spread lies are the ones who are really active on social media.)

The Coast Guard official said these fake news peddlers are the ones who are actively sharing posts on Facebook and Twitter to sway Filipinos into believing that China is on the right side of history.

This comes after Tarriela criticized Filipinos who are making excuses for the Chinese government after its ships fired water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard vessels in Ayungin Shoal on August 5.

READ: PCG-WPS spox: Filipinos siding with China in water cannon attack are deemed ‘traitors’

Meanwhile, Tarriela said it is high time for Filipinos to “unite” regardless of whom they voted for during the elections, stressing that the country’s fight in the West Philippine Sea is the fight of every Filipino and not just the Coast Guard nor the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“If we continue to let these fake news peddlers become the mouthpiece of the Chinese government, many Filipinos [will] be confused about what is really happening in the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Tarriela then highlighted that these lies should not be tolerated, otherwise, the country will lose in its fight in the West Philippine Sea.

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