Ace Balangitan

In a short video, a vlogger claimed Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar threatened to wage war against China in connection with the recent maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea.



CLAIM: Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar threatens war against China.

RATING: False

CONCLUSION: In the clip, the spokesperson made no mention of war against China, but only demanded that the China Coast Guard should not interfere with the Philippines’ rotation and resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal.


The YouTube video is entitled “AFP SPOX. NAG BANTA NA SA CHINA? HINAMON NG GYERA? HINDI NATATAKOT MAGKAGYERA! NAKAKAKILABOT ANG AFP” with the thumbnail bearing the pictures of the AFP spokesperson and China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

The claim made is FALSE. 

The clip of the AFP spokesperson presented in the video was from the August 19, 2023 press conference wherein Aguilar asked the China Coast Guard (CCG) to behave and not interfere with the Philippines’ rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission in the Ayungin Shoal. There was no mention of war made by Aguilar, contrary to what the vlogger claims.

“They should not interfere with our RoRe mission,” the AFP spokesperson said in the media forum.

Aguilar made the statement weeks after the maneuvers in the area and the alleged firing of water cannons by CCG ships against Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels.

In response to several condemnations and the ire of the public about the incident, CCG Spokesperson Gan Yu accused PCG of illegal intrusion into China’s waters.

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya also slammed China’s “dangerous” actions in the area.

"We wish to underscore that the Philippine vessels were undertaking regular and lawful activities in support of BRP Sierra Madre (LST-57), a commissioned Philippine vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal which is well within our continental shelf and exclusive economic zone," he said.

As of writing the video has garnered over 28,000 views, 890 likes, and more than 300 comments, only five hours after it was uploaded.


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