Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Friday said he is not bothered by what he described as "coordinated attacks" against him by individuals supporting pro-China narratives.

"I am not bothered by the attacks and character assassination of late because I know deep in my heart and mind that I am fighting for our country's sovereignty and interest," Ejercito told reporters in a Viber message.

"Doing so does not mean I am inciting an armed conflict, far from it. But I cannot and will not fall for the aggressor's narrative," he said.

 Without naming names, Ejercito on Wednesday called out Filipinos whom he said were blatantly supporting pro-China narratives amid the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea.

"There is nothing wrong with being patriotic. I am not pro-US, I am pro-Filipino," he tweeted on the social media site X (formerly Twitter).

"Our territories are being taken away in front of us, yet there are other groups that are condemning those who are criticizing China's bullying," he said.

He continued: "Wag maging makapili (Don't be a traitor)."

China playbook

 When asked if the coordinated attacks he was receiving were part of the black propaganda purportedly being spread by China, Ejercito said, "Now that I have witnessed it, I cannot believe it."

"I cannot believe that by fighting for our country's sovereignty and territory, there will be Filipinos who will side with the ones claiming our territory," he added.

Earlier this week, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Jay Tarriela warned against "pro-China narratives" being spread by some groups to divert attention from Beijing's aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

 "Ironically, these individuals claim to be pro-Filipino while promoting Chinese narratives and even contradicting factual reports from Philippine authorities," he said.

 He added: "Ultimately, their proposed solutions amount to accommodating China's unreasonable and illegal claims, rather than seeking fair and just resolutions that safeguard our national interests."

 Among the most used narratives of these pro-China groups, Tarriela said, was the claim that being vocal about China's aggressions in the WPS "will lead us into a war."

 "Exposing China's aggression is not inciting war. By keeping our political leaders and countrymen aware of China's violations of international law, we are safeguarding our country from political manipulation and disinformation," the PCG spokesman said.