The recent incident in the West Philippine Sea involving Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships and two Chinese vessels, which collided in their apparent attempt to harass Philippine ships away from Scarborough Shoal, was condemned by four civic-oriented groups on Monday.

A report showed that the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104, sailing at around 8 a.m. Monday, headed toward the PCG’s BRP Suluan before it collided with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ship 164.

Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented and patriotic groups—the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People's Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement—expressed his grave concern over the said collision.

'China’s lies end where the Filipino truth stands'

In a statement, Goitia said the West Philippine Sea is not only a battle of ships and coast guards, but also a battle of narratives, and in the war of words, China is waging an aggressive and well-funded propaganda campaign against the Filipino people.

Goitia, a staunch supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decisive stance in defending Philippine sovereignty, pointed out that the nation is under attack from two fronts: the physical incursions of Chinese vessels within our 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, and the constant barrage of misinformation aimed at dividing Filipinos and undermining trust in government.

“China wants to create doubt in the minds of our people. They want Filipinos to feel small, weak, and helpless so that we surrender not by force of arms, but by surrender of spirit,” Goitia stressed. “That is why the President’s firmness in saying we will not yield is not just political rhetoric. It is a psychological counterattack,” said the chairman emeritus.

He cited recent reports indicating that thousands of vessels—including Chinese maritime militia, fishing boats, coast guard ships, and naval vessels—were monitored within the Philippine EEZ in July, with some patrols spotted as close as 35 nautical miles from Pangasinan. “Such actions go beyond normal maritime activity — they amount to coercion and intimidation, a clear test of the resolve of the Filipino people,” he said.

Goitia also mentioned a recent and alarming incident that unfolded in the Bajo de Masinloc area, where two Chinese vessels collided after recklessly pursuing a Philippine vessel within the country’s sovereign waters.

The PCG responded swiftly and decisively, offering immediate assistance to safeguard their Filipino personnel—underscoring their unwavering commitment to protect our nation’s maritime rights.

Chairman Goitia did not hesitate to voice his unshakable and full support for the Philippine Coast Guard, declaring them the true defenders of our seas and our sovereignty. “The PCG stands as the frontline shield of our Republic, embodying the bravery and vigilance that every Filipino relies on. Their steadfastness is indispensable in protecting our fishermen, securing our maritime domain, and pushing back against brazen attempts to violate our territory. The Filipino people must rally behind them with unwavering resolve,” Goitia asserted.

Goitia believes that his role, alongside other patriotic voices, is to assist the President in neutralizing the propaganda element of China’s aggression. As a veteran in public communications, he sees the need for a sustained and coordinated narrative that exposes China’s actions to both domestic and international audiences.