Tarriela rebukes China's efforts to sow confusion, denies suggesting DFA is becoming a 'troll'

Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, in a statement Friday, Feb. 20, said that the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) operations of China sought “to exploit prevailing narratives, including those relating to the Philippines’ role as ASEAN host, in order to shape public discourse and sow confusion among the Filipino public.” 

In the same statement, Tarriela denied suggesting that the Department of Foreign Affairs was becoming a “troll” or is acting in any improper manner amid discussions regarding China and the WPS.

“I would like to state clearly and unequivocally that I did not, and would never, suggest—particularly in a public forum—that the DFA is becoming a ‘troll’ or is acting in any improper manner,” Tarriela said.

“My remarks were directed at these external influence operations—not at the DFA or its officials. I fully recognize and respect the professionalism, competence, and institutional role of the Department of Foreign Affairs.”

“I regret any misunderstanding arising from the interpretation of my remarks and apologize to the DFA for any inconvenience caused by the need to address this matter publicly,” he added.

At a Stratbase event earlier, Tarriela said, “Beijing's strategy to silence transparency is so carefully calibrated that it begins subtly with trolls and online commentators arguing that the Department of Foreign Affairs should be the sole entity handling West Philippine Sea issues, framing it strictly as a diplomatic concern rather than a matter for public discourse or multi-agency involvement for a whole of government approach.”

“This narrative was then swiftly adopted by the Chinese Embassy in Manila and echoed by the PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their official statements, amplifying it as a supposed breach of protocol.”

“Such FIMI operations of the PRC want to take advantage of the position of the DFA since we are the ASEAN host, emphasizing that we should be giving more space for negotiation and diplomacy.”

“Thus, it confuses the Filipino people, making us all even doubt our professional and competent diplomats whether they are also aligned with that of the trolls and the Chinese government,” he added. — GMA Integrated News