Don’t fall for China lies about West Philippine Sea – NSC

MANILA, Philippines — A public divided in its stand is what China hopes to achieve in disseminating lies about the West Philippine Sea issue, according to National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya, who admitted that many Filipinos have fallen for China’s ruse.

In an interview over dzBB, Malaya also challenged newspaper columnist Rigoberto Tiglao to show proof of his claim that the Philippines had promised to remove the grounded BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal back in 1999.

“If he has proof then he has to show it because it seems we’re falling into the Chinese narrative,” Malaya said, referring to Tiglao.

“It’s the Chinese that’s making such claim therefore they have to prove it because we’re falling into their trap instead of getting united as a nation. We fight among ourselves, thinking there are traitors in our midst,” he said in Filipino.

Malaya said China’s psychological warfare has apparently caused division among Filipinos and strengthened China’s position on the West Philippine Sea issue.

“In this time, we need unity. We have to show the world that we Filipinos understand our position and we fully support the position of the Philippines,” he said.

According to Malaya, the supposed memo that Tiglao said contained Manila’s promise to remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin did not even say anything about such promise.

“The document did not even say there was a promise. What’s written there was China’s saying there was one, therefore it’s conjecture. Just because China said so doesn’t make it true. I am skeptical about that supposed promise,” he said. In diplomatic circles, verbal agreements don’t carry much weight, he added.

“The Chinese know this and they’re using it to sow discord among us, to keep us from getting united, and leave us finger-pointing,” he said.

Malaya maintained it was China that had broken its promises like when it militarized Mischief Reef and refused to leave Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

He said President Marcos’ declaration that the Philippines had never promised to remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin should settle the issue once and for all.

He accused Tiglao of “clouding the issue” and playing into China’s hands. He also said it was unfair to insinuate former president Joseph Estrada made the promise to China, as it was he who ordered the Sierra Madre beached on Ayungin.

Malaya also said that while he welcomes a Senate probe on the alleged promise to China, senators – and Filipinos in general – should bear in mind that sowing discord is part of China’s psy-war.

“Well, since our country has high consciousness, I think we should let the Senate do its job. That’s an independent co-equal branch of government,” he said. “But I hope we take it with a grain of salt. I hope our minds are open to the fact that this is just a psy-war, cognitive warfare of China against us. And if we hear anything from them, let’s not take it seriously.”