There to stay

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) posted a video where the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) supposedly towed away the BRP Sierra Madre after a confrontation with Philippine military personnel aboard the ship. But after watching the video several times, it seems to be a collage of several old videos showing confrontations between the CCG and Philippine military personnel. In other words, it looks to be fake news. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has denied this claim. Commodore Jay Tarriela himself has described this as false information and part of China’s misinformation campaign against the country.

I am certain that if the CCG were to attempt to tow away the Sierra Madre, those on board would put up a fight, no matter how lopsided the encounter may be. And the whole country would hear about it. The AFP would be alerted and send whatever resources it has to confront the illegal removal of the ship, not to mention all media outlets covering the incident.

This is all part of China’s playbook. This is not the first time Beijing has spread fake news regarding the BRP Sierra Madre. They claimed there was an agreement for the country to voluntarily remove the Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal. President Bongbong Marcos Jr. denied that such an agreement exists amid calls for the past administration to come clean if an agreement did exist. Former president Duterte is well known for cozying up to China.

The BRP Sierra Madre is a thorn in China’s side. It was intentionally run aground at Ayungin Shoal to stake our claim to that part of the South China Sea. It also serves as the outpost of the Philippine marines that rotate every several months. Supply and repair missions to the ship are almost always harassed by the CCG, using water cannons and physically blocking our smaller boats with their huge coast guard vessels. One of our soldiers has already lost a thumb because of these dirty tactics. The decrepit ship does need repairs to keep it intact and hospitable to the marines.

There is nothing China would love more than to see the Sierra Madre go away.  But it is there to stay. Which is why the PCG, AFP, and all Filipinos must be vigilant in making sure the Sierra Madre stays where it is. Should the video be proven to be a fabrication, the SCMP must be more circumspect in its news reporting. Misinformation and disinformation have no place in responsible journalism.