THE National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday called on the Filipino people and the international community to remain vigilant against disinformation campaigns and “rely on verified historical and legal sources rather than propaganda designed to advance a geopolitical agenda at the expense of truth.”
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año issued the call as he refuted China’s claims that Palawan was historically part of China.
Meanwhile, Karl Joseph Legazpi, commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission (NYC) and chair of its Committee on Peace-building and Security, also strongly denounced the false narratives being spread by the Chinese government regarding its claims over Palawan.
“We categorically reject the baseless and revisionist claims circulating on Chinese social media that Palawan was historically part of China and should be returned to it,” Año said in a statement.
The NSA stated that these claims are “complete fabrications designed to distort historical facts, mislead the public, and undermine the Philippines’ sovereignty over its rightful and internationally recognized territory.”
“Palawan has always been and will always remain an integral part of the Republic of the Philippines. No historical record, legal precedent or credible evidence support the claim that Palawan was ever under Chinese sovereignty,” Año stressed.
He also emphasized that archaeological evidence, centuries of indigenous and colonial rule, and internationally binding agreements such as the 1898 Treaty of Paris and the 1900 Treaty of Washington clearly affirm the Philippines’ ownership of Palawan.
He added that the assertion that Palawan was once called “Zheng He Island” was entirely fabricated and lacks any factual basis.
“While Admiral Zheng He, a Chinese explorer, visited Southeast Asian waters in the 14th and 15th centuries, there is no historical record that he ever visited Palawan. Even if he did, such visit does not equate to ownership, just as the voyages of other explorers do not alter the sovereignty of nations today,” Año said.
He also said the NSC is currently tracing the source of the disinformation, which first appeared in Chinese social media app Weibo and Red Note, a short video platform like TikTok.
He pointed out that the allegations did not come from official government sites, or carried by Chinese mainstream media outlets.
“Nonetheless, these false narratives, proliferated through digital disinformation and information warfare tactics, appear to be part of a broader effort to undermine Philippine sovereignty and manipulate public perception both in the Philippines and China,” he added.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), condemned efforts to manipulate public perception through information warfare against the Philippines.
Trinidad warned that deceptive messaging, or “malign influence,” is targeting the cognitive domain of Filipinos to distort truths about the country’s territorial rights.
To counter the disinformation drive, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) introduced the “Mulat” (Awaken) Communication Plan which focuses on enhancing transparency, raising public awareness, and defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
Trinidad dismissed as “delusional” claims by certain Chinese entities suggesting Palawan is part of China, calling them baseless and absurd. He emphasized that such misinformation, driven by propaganda and manipulative content, undermines the truth and national sovereignty. He urged Filipinos to critically evaluate deceptive narratives as part of resisting this information warfare.
“As the Commissioner-at-Large of the National Youth Commission and chair of its Committee on Peace-building and Security, and a proud native of Palawan, I strongly denounce the false narratives being spread by the Communist government of China, claiming any right over my home province. These are nothing more than malicious disinformation—fabricated attempts to rewrite history and propagate a political agenda that every Filipino must firmly reject,” Legazpi said.
Legazpi stressed that Palawan has never been part of China and that Beijing’s claims are entirely baseless.
He pointed out that international law, particularly the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, has already nullified China’s sweeping assertions in the South China Sea.
“Palawan has never been part of China. Such claims are not only baseless but also an outright distortion of historical and legal facts. International law, including the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, has unequivocally repudiated China’s sweeping assertions in the South China Sea. Historical maps and records bear witness to the fact that Palawan has always been, and will always be, an integral part of the Philippines. Any effort to suggest otherwise is a dangerous attempt to seed falsehoods and erode our national sovereignty,” Legazpi added.
Emphasizing the role of the youth in combating disinformation, Legazpi called on young Filipinos to remain vigilant and actively counter Chinese propaganda.
“The Filipino youth have a crucial role in defending the truth. We must be vigilant against these disinformation campaigns and prevent the spread of fabricated narratives. I urge my fellow young Filipinos to stand with our Palaweño brothers and sisters—reject Chinese propaganda, challenge those who echo these false claims, and ensure that misinformation has no place in our public discourse,” Legazpi urged.
Legazpi reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Philippine sovereignty, both in territorial integrity and in the fight against digital disinformation.
“As a Palaweño and a Filipino, I stand firm in correcting these absurd assertions, not just for my province but for the entire nation. Let us protect our sovereignty, both in our territories and in the digital space, by championing truth and historical accuracy,” he declared.
The NYC, under Legazpi’s leadership in peace-building and security, continues to advocate for youth engagement in national security matters, reinforcing patriotism and truth amid rising geopolitical challenges.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “NSC urges higher discernment amid propaganda over WPS.”
