Conflicts - TensionsSoutheast Asia

Philippine comic book targets PRC information manipulation in South China Sea dispute

The Associated Press

The Philippines launched a comic book in January 2025 to counter the People Republic of China’s (PRC) information manipulation campaign to push its expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea.

In the 40-page book, titled “The Stories of Teacher Jun,” a fictional Filipino teacher and his young students discuss the complex territorial disputes in simple terms. One student describes the PRC as a bully and another says Beijing’s “behavior is outrageous.”

The tale highlights Manila’s stance on the dispute.

“Chinese officials, along with state-sponsored media and individuals, continue to spread distorted and twisted narratives to malign our efforts and justify their unilateral claims,” Philippines National Security Advisor Eduardo Ano said at the book launch in Manila.

The Philippines will do everything to “fight misinformation, disinformation and false narratives to put forward the truth,” Ano said.

Manila has strengthened security alliances and partnerships with longtime ally United States and other nations to deter Beijing’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions in the South China Sea.

Two years ago, the Philippines adopted a transparency campaign by releasing videos and photographs of the China Coast Guard’s increasingly assertive actions in the contested waters, including the use of powerful water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers.

Beijing has persisted in its actions despite an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling invalidating the PRC’s sovereignty claims. Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also have claims to the busy sea passage, a key global trade route with rich fishing grounds and undersea gas deposits.

The ambassadors of Canada and the U.S., among the key nations supporting the Philippines in the dispute, attended the book launch, along with officials from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the nation’s education secretary.

About 11,000 copies of the book have been distributed for free, Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said. The intended recipients are students and Filipinos in regions with limited access to news.

“This initiative aims to highlight our maritime rights and entitlements while revealing China’s unlawful activities, aggressive behavior and bullying tactics,” Ano said. “It is crucial for us to shed light on these actions as transparency is a powerful tool in combating misinformation.”

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