Camille Naredo

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela graces the screening of “Food Delivery”, a documentary film on the country’s fight for sovereignty amidst China’s continued incursion into the West Philippine Sea, at the Dolphy Theater in the ABS-CBN compound, Quezon City, on September 30, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela graces the screening of “Food Delivery”, a documentary film on the country’s fight for sovereignty amidst China’s continued incursion into the West Philippine Sea, at the Dolphy Theater in the ABS-CBN compound, Quezon City, on September 30, 2025.

Article (news)

Food Delivery

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177140304140520250929-food-delivery-screening-west-ph-sea-JC4450.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela graces the screening of “Food Delivery”, a documentary film on the country’s fight for sovereignty amidst China’s continued incursion into the West Philippine Sea, at the Dolphy Theater in the ABS-CBN compound, Quezon City, on September 30, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela graces the screening of “Food Delivery”, a documentary film on the country’s fight for sovereignty amidst China’s continued incursion into the West Philippine Sea, at the Dolphy Theater in the ABS-CBN compound, Quezon City, on September 30, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The biggest challenge in defending the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea is no longer social media trolls but politicians spreading fake news and disinformation, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela.</p><p>Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, on Wednesday said statements made by certain lawmakers against the government’s stance on maritime issues are harder to counter because of their influence over followers and voters.</p><p>“Para sa akin, ang pinakamahirap ngayon i-counter ay hindi na trolls sa social media, kundi mga politiko,” Tarriela told reporters during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/tarriela-invites-marcoleta-on-flight-over-kalayaan-island-group-0925">Tarriela invites Marcoleta on flight over Kalayaan Island Group</a></div><p>“If a particular legislator, whether in the Senate or Congress, would say something against our position in the West Philippine Sea, may followers at mga botante ‘yan eh. How can you be able to convince [them all]… babahay-bahayin ba natin lahat ‘yan?” he added.</p><p>“That’s the hardest job we are facing right now—to counter fake news and disinformation being narrated and amplified by those politicians,” he further said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>ON THREATS AND TROLLS</strong> </div><p>Tarriela addressed questions about alleged threats from online trolls, saying he has not experienced harassment in public.</p><p>“Lagi akong tinatanong ng mga tao, close relatives ko, ‘How are you holding up?’ May death threats… Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Naglalakad ako publicly, wala namang Pilipinong lumalapit sa akin na minumura ako. Wala namang nananakot sa akin,’” the official said.</p><p>He went on, “Most of these people will approach me and thank me for what I do. Wala pang taong nagmura sa akin. It will make you wonder kung totoo talaga ang trolls.”</p><p>Tarriela noted that Filipinos are now more aware of developments in the West Philippine Sea, compared to two years ago, making it harder for disinformation to gain traction.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/6/maritime-law-expert-slams-marcoleta-s-call-to-give-up-kalayaan-islands-2031">Maritime law expert slams Marcoleta’s call to give up Kalayaan islands</a></div><p>“Ang hirap nang mabudol ng mga Pilipino. Anything that is happening in the West Philippine Sea, we have become very transparent,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>NO POLITICAL AMBITIONS</strong> </div><p>Amid speculation online, Tarriela denied having plans to run for public office.</p><p>“Ako ay 44 years old pa lang… I will already be promoted to my second star, hopefully, this month or next month,” he said, referring to his career trajectory in the PCG. “Maganda naman ang tinatahak kong career sa PCG. Kung sinasabi ng trolls na si Commodore Tarriela ay tatakbo lang ‘yan, hindi.”</p><p>“Secondly, wala naman akong flood control para suportahan ang pagtakbo ko sa eleksyon. I have no political plans, and I am not part of any political dynasty. I don’t have plans of going into politics,” the official added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>BOOST TO MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS</strong> </div><p>Tarriela also confirmed that the PCG has formally begun the acquisition of three Beechcraft King Air turboprop airplanes from the United States, which he described as a major boost to the country’s maritime domain awareness (MDA) capability.</p><p>“Kung magkakaroon tayo ng tatlong King Air that will be coming from the US government, this is a very big boost sa ating MDA capability. We can carry out MDA flights and, accordingly, these aircraft will be equipped with ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capability,” he noted.</p><p>“Ibig sabihin, it will be easier for us to document the presence of the CCG [China Coast Guard], CMM [Chinese maritime militia], and even PLA [People’s Liberation Army] Navy warships,” he continued.</p><p>Tarriela said that this kind of support is “a clear evidence of the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/28/us-defense-chief-hegseth-reaffirms-ironclad-commitment-to-philippines-1534">ironclad commitmen</a>t” of the US to the Philippines.</p><div> </div><div><strong>TOLENTINO HITS CHINESE EMBASSY IN MANILA</strong> </div><p>Former senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, criticized recent statements from the Chinese Embassy in Manila, saying these violate diplomatic norms.</p><p>Speaking in defense of the Senate and its members, Tolentino said Chinese Embassy officials appeared to have forgotten the role of the Senate in shaping Philippine foreign policy.</p><p>“I am speaking in defense of Senator [Tito] Sotto, Senator [Kiko] Pangilinan, and the Senate as an institution—baka hindi nila [Chinese Embassy in Manila] alam na the Philippine Senate, under our constitutional framework, is a participant and key player in foreign policy,” Tolentino said during the forum.</p><p>He went on, “The president is the chief architect of Philippine foreign policy under our Constitution, but the Senate plays a vital role, especially in the treaty-making process.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/chinese-embassy-hits-back-at-sotto-statements-resolutions-pressuring-china-do-not-work-1357">Chinese Embassy hits back at Sotto: Statements, resolutions pressuring China &#x27;do not work&#x27;</a></div><p>“An insult to the Senate President, an insult to Senator Pangilinan, is an insult to the Senate as an institution. Before you are deployed as an ambassador from any country, you should be aware of the Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” he further said.</p><p>Tolentino cited Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states that diplomats must not interfere in the internal affairs of the receiving State.</p><p>“Pag binatikos mo ang senador, especially if ang kanyang sinabi ay galing sa plenary hall ng Senado, you are interfering with the legislative process, which is now in violation of Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which is violative of some rights of the receiving State,” he noted.</p>

<p>The biggest challenge in defending the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea is no longer social media trolls but politicians spreading fake news and disinformation, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela.</p>

The biggest challenge in defending the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea is no longer social media trolls but politicians spreading fake news and disinformation, according to Commodore Jay Tarriela.

‘Hardest job’: Tarriela warns of fake news, disinformation on WPS amplified by politicians

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‘Hardest job’: Tarriela warns of fake news, disinformation on WPS amplified by politicians

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 18, 2026 04:26 PM PHT

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West Philippine Sea

Jay Tarriela

PCG

Francis Tolentino

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