AFP calls out 'old video' of Ayungin Shoal incident making rounds online
"I don't know what's the motivation of the Chinese Coast Guard kung bakit they have released this old video na nangyari na noong nakaraang taon pa. (This happened last year). I don't know really what is the main objective of the Chinese Coast Guard, what they are highlighting,' Tarriela said in an interview.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) released a statement on Saturday warning about "disinformation" on operations at the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issues a strong warning against the spread of fake news and deliberate disinformation concerning our operations in the West Philippine Sea," the AFP said in a statement.
"We call out recent attempts to mislead the public by falsely labeling old or recycled footage as a 'new' incident in Ayungin Shoal. 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," added the AFP.
GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy regarding the matter but it has yet to reply as of posting time.
EXPLAINER: What is the Ayungin Shoal and why is it important?
The Ayungin Shoal — called Ren'ai Reef by China — is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, which is a group of more than 100 islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
It is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the country's 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is part of its continental shelf. A country has rights over the economic resources of the sea, seabed, and subsoil to the exclusion of other states within its EEZ.
China has claimed ownership of almost the entire South China Sea, which includes parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
China, Taiwan, and Vietnam are claiming all the Spratly Islands, including Ayungin, while Malaysia and the Philippines are claiming portions of the Spratlys.
The decision of an international arbitration tribunal in Hague in 2016, which stated that China's claims over the Philippines and the South China Sea had 'no legal basis,' has remained unrecognized. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Russian, Chinese navies carry out artillery, anti-sub drills in Sea of Japan
Russian and Chinese naval officers take part in a ceremony marking the start of joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, in Vladivostok, Russia, July 31, 2025. Russian Defense Ministry/ Russia's Pacific Fleet/ Handout via REUTERS MOSCOW — The Russian and Chinese navies are carrying out artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan as part of scheduled joint exercises, the Russian Pacific Fleet was quoted as saying on Sunday. The drills are taking place two days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, they were scheduled well before Trump's action. Interfax news agency quoted the Pacific Fleet as saying Russian and Chinese vessels were moving in a joint detachment including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. It said diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship. The maneuvers are part of exercises titled "Maritime Interaction-2025" which are scheduled to end on Tuesday. Interfax said Russian and Chinese sailors would conduct artillery firing, practice anti-submarine and air defense missions, and improve joint search and rescue operations at sea. Russia and China, which signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries. Trump said his submarine order on Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by Russia's Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. Russia and the United States have by far the biggest nuclear arsenals in the world. It is extremely rare for either country to discuss the deployment and location of its nuclear submarines. Trump's comments came at a time of mounting tension with Moscow as he grows frustrated at the lack of progress towards ending the Ukraine war. — Reuters
GMA Network
9 hours ago
- GMA Network
Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march over Sydney Harbour Bridge
Mounted police keep watch as protesters in support of Palestinians in Gaza march towards Sydney's Harbour Bridge during a demonstration against the actions of Israel on August 3, 2025. Saeed Khan/ AFP SYDNEY — Tens of thousands of demonstrators braved pouring rain to march across Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge on Sunday calling for peace and aid deliveries in the war-torn Gaza Strip, where a humanitarian crisis has been worsening. Nearly two years into a war that Palestinian authorities say has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza, governments and humanitarian organizations say a shortage of food is leading to widespread starvation. Some of those attending the march, called by its organizers the March for Humanity, carried pots and pans as symbols of the hunger. "Enough is enough," said Doug, a man in his 60s with a shock of white hair. "When people from all over the world gather together and speak up, then evil can be overcome." Marchers ranged from the elderly to families with young children. Among them was Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Many carried umbrellas. Some waved Palestinian flags and chanted "We are all Palestinians." New South Wales police said up to 90,000 people had attended, far more than expected. The protest organizer, Palestine Action Group Sydney, said in a Facebook post as many as 300,000 people may have marched. New South Wales police and the state's premier last week tried to block the march from taking place on the bridge, a city landmark and transport thoroughfare, saying the route could cause safety hazards and transport disruption. The state's Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that it could go ahead. Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Peter McKenna said more than a thousand police were deployed and the size of the crowd had led to fears of a crush. "No one was hurt," he told a press conference. "But gee whiz, I wouldn't like try and do this every Sunday at that short notice." Police were also present in Melbourne, where a similar protest march took place. Diplomatic pressure ramped up on Israel in recent weeks. France and Canada have said they will recognize a Palestinian state, and Britain says it will follow suit unless Israel addresses the humanitarian crisis and reaches a ceasefire. Israel has condemned these decisions as rewarding Hamas, the group that governs Gaza and whose attack on Israel in October 2023 began an Israeli offensive that has flattened much of the enclave. Israel has also denied pursuing a policy of starvation and accused Hamas of stealing aid. Australia's centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he supports a two-state solution and Israel's denial of aid and killing of civilians "cannot be defended or ignored," but has not recognized Palestine. Therese Curtis, a marcher in her 80s, said she had the human right and privilege of good medical care in Australia. "But the people in Palestine are having their hospitals bombed, they're being denied a basic right of medical care and I'm marching specifically for that," she said. — Reuters
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
AFP calls out 'old video' of Ayungin Shoal incident making rounds online
The footage of a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and a Philippine Navy boat in an incident in Ayungin Shoal was an "old video" that took place in June last year, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela. "I don't know what's the motivation of the Chinese Coast Guard kung bakit they have released this old video na nangyari na noong nakaraang taon pa. (This happened last year). I don't know really what is the main objective of the Chinese Coast Guard, what they are highlighting,' Tarriela said in an interview. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) released a statement on Saturday warning about "disinformation" on operations at the West Philippine Sea (WPS). "The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issues a strong warning against the spread of fake news and deliberate disinformation concerning our operations in the West Philippine Sea," the AFP said in a statement. "We call out recent attempts to mislead the public by falsely labeling old or recycled footage as a 'new' incident in Ayungin Shoal. 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," added the AFP. GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy regarding the matter but it has yet to reply as of posting time. EXPLAINER: What is the Ayungin Shoal and why is it important? The Ayungin Shoal — called Ren'ai Reef by China — is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, which is a group of more than 100 islands and reefs in the South China Sea. It is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the country's 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and is part of its continental shelf. A country has rights over the economic resources of the sea, seabed, and subsoil to the exclusion of other states within its EEZ. China has claimed ownership of almost the entire South China Sea, which includes parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. China, Taiwan, and Vietnam are claiming all the Spratly Islands, including Ayungin, while Malaysia and the Philippines are claiming portions of the Spratlys. The decision of an international arbitration tribunal in Hague in 2016, which stated that China's claims over the Philippines and the South China Sea had 'no legal basis,' has remained unrecognized. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
