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'Assertive transparency' effective vs China disinformation, experts say

BIANCA DAVA

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/2023121-tarriela-water-cannon.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>This handout photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows a China Coast Guard vessel using a water cannon on a civilian boat contracted for a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. Philippine Coast Guard handout/file</div>MANILA — Security experts believe the Philippines&#x27; assertive transparency initiative has so far been effective in countering China’s increased disinformation on the West Philippine Sea.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/11/23/task-force-calls-out-serious-escalation-by-china-in-west-philippine-sea">Task force calls out &#x27;serious escalation&#x27; by China in West Philippine Sea</a></div>“It is worth mentioning that the birth pains of the transparency initiative are never easy to endure. Try to imagine how agencies of the national government would react to changing the usual practice of almost a decade of not publicizing anything in the West Philippine Sea,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said during a Stratbase Institute-organized forum that tackled disinformation in the West Philippine Sea.“Reflecting on the journey, I feel a sense of pride and fulfillment knowing that the shift towards publicizing Chinese bullying actions in the WPS has been not only sustained but also gained support from all government agencies now,” he added.The PCG announced the government’s transparency initiative after the China Coast Guard used a military-grade laser against a Philippine patrol vessel near Ayungin Shoal in February last year.Tarriela said the government will continue to expose China’s aggression.“If you’re going to ask me how we see it in the long term, I think in the current administration, we’re going to sustain this approach in our strategy in the WPS. We believe it has gained so much effect in awareness for the Filipinos. The international community has become more supportive in our efforts in condemning Chinese illegal actions,” he said.The PCG official added, “Even civil society now is taking part in our actions in the WPS. The Atin Ito Coalition is a good example of how we can rally support from civil society.”He pointed out that China, in its attempt to undermine the Philippines’ narratives, “utilizes social media platforms and relies on their trolls to spread fake news and disinformation to support their false narrative.”Ttired US Col. Raymond Powell, founder of security think tank Project Sealight, stressed the need to institutionalize the government initiative—to write it down and disseminate it so that everybody will fully understand it.“Assertive transparency. This is more than just reactive, incidental transparency... By turning it into something very assertive, I think, and doing it in the face of a sophisticated gray zone actor, to us, this means this should really probably uncover what is the potential of a certain transparency not only to counter Chinese aggression in the WPS, but to counter gray zone action across all domains,” Powell said.The maritime security expert went on, “The threats to assertive transparency as a policy… About institutionalizing transparency. It would be important to write down what the policy is.&quot;Tarriela explained that the government’s assertive transparency is already “a bit institutionalized” because of the process it follows.“Our approach now in being more transparent with Chinese aggression is a bit institutionalized. Everything we release goes through a decision. It’s not a decision being made by the PCG only. It has to pass through the Information Working Group and the NTF-WPS,” he said. “There is a strategic objective for every news we inform the public about. Something that we measure to make sure it will not result to panic or misinterpretation. We have to institutionalize it in a way that those information are processed by the IWG.”Dr. Benjamin Goirigolzarri, team member of Project Myoushu of the Gordon Knot Center for National Security Innovation, said committing to the use of free press offered a compelling narrative in the face of Chinese misinformation.“So, now, Philippine vessels are armed with journalists ready to document run-ins with the Chinese militia to put on display to the world the bullying that Chinese are doing in the South China Sea,” he said. “Assertive transparency is a real domestic policy that raises awareness on this issue to better resist Chinese transgressions and national interests.”Goirigolzarri, however, noted that assertive transparency alone will not lead to victory in the West Philippine Sea.“At this point, we don’t see assertive transparency stop gray zone aggression in the South China Sea. If any, we’ve seen an increase, which is a clear sign that it is effective. It is hurting China where it hurts,” he said.“It’s obvious that China attempts to counter this, but at this point, it is unsuccessful. Again, we can’t expect that assertive transparency alone will deliver victory in the SCS, but it does seem to be a key element to success,” he added.Tarriela emphasized that “the nation should safeguard our transparency towards the West Philippine Sea,” adding that this can be used for political leverage.“Even without mentioning anybody, we can see it how some politicians are using the WPS as a mere political slogan for them to gain public support and make people believe they are in the interest of the Filipinos,” the PCG official said. “Definitely, this is a trend we can see because of the upcoming midterm elections.”<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2959382"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

Now entering its second year, the PCG said the government will continue to expose China’s aggression.

Now entering its second year, the PCG said the government will continue to expose China’s aggression.