MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) issued a strong warning against the spread of fake news and deliberate disinformation surrounding military operations in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the AFP called out recent attempts to mislead the public by circulating old or recycled footage and falsely presenting it as a “new” incident at Ayungin Shoal.

“These deceptive tactics are not only irresponsible — they aim to manipulate public perception, distort the truth, and weaken our shared resolve in asserting the nation’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction,” the AFP said.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the country’s sovereignty and jurisdiction, citing both the Philippine Constitution and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant. Think critically, verify information, and rely only on credible and official sources,” the AFP said. “Disinformation is a direct threat to our national integrity and unity.”

“The truth is our strongest defense,” it added.