The Armed Forces of the Philippines has issued a stern warning against the spread of fake news and deliberate disinformation surrounding military operations in the West Philippine Sea, citing recent attempts to manipulate public perception through recycled or misleading footage.

In a statement released Saturday, the AFP condemned the circulation of old videos being falsely presented as new incidents near Ayungin Shoal, a flashpoint area in the disputed waters. 

“We call out recent attempts to mislead the public by falsely labeling old or recycled footage as a 'new' incident in Ayungin Shoal,” it said. 

According to the AFP, such actions are not only “irresponsible” but are also designed to distort the truth and undermine the country's efforts to protect its maritime claims.

“These deceptive tactics are not only irresponsible — they aim to manipulate public perception, distort the truth, and weaken our shared resolve in asserting the nation’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” it stressed. 

The military emphasized that its operations remain firmly anchored on the Philippine Constitution, international law, and the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which reaffirmed the country’s maritime entitlements in the region.

As tensions remain high in the WPS amid continued Chinese incursions, the AFP called on Filipinos to remain vigilant, to think critically, and to seek information only from credible and official sources.

“Disinformation is a direct threat to our national integrity and unity,” the statement added. “The truth is our strongest defense.”

The AFP’s warning comes after the China Coast Guard released footage claiming it towed Philippine Navy boats away from Ayungin Shoal and the BRP Sierra Madre, accusing the vessels of entering the area without permission. 

Ayungin Shoal is where the Philippine Navy’s commissioned vessel BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded since 1999, serving as one of the country’s military outposts in the WPS. 

China claims the shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao, as part of its Nansha Qundao region.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration issued its decision on 12 July 2016, ruling that China's claim of historic rights to resources within its so-called nine-dash line had no legal basis.

The Arbitral ruling, under the UNCLOS, also declared that China has no legal basis to claim almost the entire SCS. 

The Philippines and China are both parties to UNCLOS.

However, China does not recognize the ruling and continues to harass Philippine vessels in conducting legal maritime operations. 

Other SCS claimants are Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.