In a recent episode of their ‘Gikan sa Masa’ series, former President Rodrigo Duterte and controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy seemed to align themselves with pro-Chinese sentiments as they engaged in a discussion about the ongoing territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

In an attempt to steer the conversation toward what he considered a more “intriguing” topic, Quiboloy read what appeared to be recent Chinese propaganda circulated by state media outlets such as Xinhua and China Daily.

To initiate the dialogue, Quiboloy quoted an excerpt from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech in San Francisco during his recent visit to the United States.

“China says no to Cold War or hot war with any country in the world,” he recited, highlighting China’s commitment to a peaceful international order.

Quiboloy also made a bold assertion, declaring that China has “become a blessing to us.”

Using Xi’s words as a launchpad, Quiboloy probed Duterte with a question: “With this tone, can we say that China can assure the Philippines it will stop harassing its coast guard vessels and personnel on a simple resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in the West Philippine Sea?”

In his characteristic convoluted storytelling style, Duterte acknowledged the long-standing territorial conflict with China but proceeded to make statements seemingly favorable to China and his “friend” Xi Jinping.

“I have never heard for the longest time, a statesman such as President Xi Jinping, making a statement, a classic statement like this. Wala kang narinig kay Putin, kay Biden. Wala, siya lang,” he declared in defense of Xi.

Despite Duterte’s assertions, a thorough fact-check by The Daily Netizen revealed discrepancies in his pro-China statements.

The Daily Netizen conducted comprehensive research and fact-checked Duterte’s pro-China statements and propaganda.

On Duterte’s claim that Xi was the only leader who made such a pro-peace speech, indicating he’s not trying to instigate conflict or war, our verdict: FALSE!

Here, Duterte, who admitted that he’s a friend of Xi and whose government heavily relied on Chinese loans but most of which did not come true, appears to have bought hook, line, and sinker Xi and China’s propaganda.

The truth is, Xi and the CCP made a series of threatening and warlike statements over the past few years. In January this year, China has renewed its longstanding threat to attack Taiwan and warned that foreign politicians who interact with the self-governing island are “playing with fire”.

China, like any powerful country, has spokespersons who speak on behalf of its regime.

China views mere support by any country or global entity for Taiwan’s independence to be “deliberate provocation.”

“The malicious support for Taiwan independence among anti-China elements in a few foreign countries is a deliberate provocation,” the spokesperson, Ma Xiaoguang, reportedly said that time.

In November last year, Xi himself tells China’s army to focus on war preparation.

“Focus all [your] energy on fighting, work hard on fighting and improve [your] capability to win,” Xi Jinping was quoted as saying. The army must also “resolutely defend national sovereignty and national security” as China was in an “unstable and uncertain” security situation, he further reportedly said.

Duterte’s inability to distinguish politically polished diplomatic talking points designed to fool the public and the global media and China’s real-world actions is disturbing, knowing his still lingering influence among Filipino voters.

Duterte interpreted Xi’s speech to be: “Gusto ko stable ang national order na wala masyadong gulo, that I will not be involved in any way to intervene and interfere so that we can live peacefully. That is what he said. Napakagandang quotation yan.”

Our verdict: FALSE.

Although world powers like the United States and Russia have their share of global interference, China has also been accused by many countries of undue intervention.

A French parliamentary report accused China of economic and technological interference, stating that “the most serious threat today is the attack on scientific and technological heritage by Chinese interference,” for which Beijing makes “extensive use of clandestine intelligence”.

In Canada, an official inquiry is underway into allegations China meddled in federal elections, but some say the influence goes further. Intelligence reports leaked from the CSIS in recent months indicate that Canada’s intelligence community has been concerned about Chinese election interference for decades.

Australia: A 2020 report reveals that the Australian government had revoked the visas of two Chinese scholars in September as part of a broader counter foreign interference investigation.

Taiwanese officials also accuse China of election interference, including all kinds of political intervention.

Duterte said: “Itong West Philippine Sea, on our own tayo. Ngayon, ko nasabi na ayaw ni presidente Xi Jinping. Remember, it is a conflict, boundary conflict. Conflicting claims between China and the Philippines. Hindi sila nagpadala ni minsan ng… coastguard lang. Alam mo pagkanakataon, yong coast guard lang makikita mo, but never, never send gray ships, yong pang war.” He added: “Yong conflict natin, banggaan, ganun, hanggang diyan na lang yan. It will not escalate into anything.”

Our verdict: FALSE and a red herring.

China does not have to send military and warships to enforce its maritime and territorial claims. China has been known to deploy maritime law enforcement vessels, coast guard ships, and occasionally naval warships to assert and enforce its claims in the disputed areas. The Chinese government has built artificial islands and constructed military facilities in the West Philippine Sea, leading to heightened tensions in the region. These actions have been a source of concern for other nations and have led to increased scrutiny and diplomatic disputes.

China’s Coast Guard is a paramilitary maritime law enforcement agency rather than a traditional military force. It operates under the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and, more recently, under the China Coast Guard (CCG) after being transferred from the SOA to the People’s Armed Police in 2013.

While the China Coast Guard is not part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), it plays a significant role in asserting and protecting China’s maritime interests, particularly in the disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea. The CCG has been involved in enforcing China’s maritime claims, conducting patrols, and responding to incidents in disputed areas.

Duterte’s statements in defense of China are just plain speculations and not based on facts and real-world events. There have been reports and incidents in the past where Chinese vessels, including warships and maritime law enforcement vessels, have been accused of harassing Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in areas that are subject to territorial and maritime disputes.

One notable incident occurred in Scarborough Shoal in 2012. Chinese maritime vessels, including both civilian and law enforcement ships, were involved in a standoff with the Philippine Navy over fishing rights in the area. The Philippines accused China of preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing traditional fishing grounds around Scarborough Shoal.

The fact that Duterte ignored the usual plights of Filipino fishermen who faced constant harassment by Chinese coast guard and maritime vessels is disturbing.

Duterte said: “Or the better practice is, talk. Kaya noon panahon ko, ako yong pumunta ng China, sinabi ko xahirap lang kami. Ayaw namin ng away. Matatalo naman talaga kami. Maawa ka naman sa amin, ganun lang kami. We can always talk.”

Our verdict: FALSE and deceitful.

There’s no such specific talk between China and the Philippines initiated by the Duterte regime to amicably settle the two countries’ territorial dispute. In fact, the best venue that could have resolved this conflict, The Hague Tribunal, which dropped a favorable ruling in favor of the Philippines, was dismissed by Duterte right after he became president in 2016 to appease Xi and the CCP.

Despite Duterte’s appeasement, China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen who relied on our waters for food and livelihood continued and worsened during Duterte’s time in power.

Quiboloy also sang praises to Xi and China and even claimed that “China has become a blessing to us”. He also noted that Xi was given a “royal welcome” by Biden in the United States, while some Filipino officials have been trying to “demonize” China.

““Naging kaybigan pa natin si Xi Jinping. At it has become a blessing to us. Na ngayon dine-demonize nitong mga bang mga leader natin,” Quiboloy said.

“Eto naman sa atin, eh we’re making a belligerent move against China,” Quiboloy added. Duterte responded by saying that our fishermen could just fish in our own waters. “Marami namang isda diyan. Napakalawak niyan. Filipino mangisda rin. Paano ka na lang. Walang away. Because what’s on the other side of the table, it’s war.

Our verdict: Quiboloy is basically blaming the Philippines and our own fishermen, while Duterte is insinuating we’re causing trouble by simply fishing and protecting our own territories.

Both the Ayunghin Shoal and the Scarborough Shoal are within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), so Filipino fishermen are well within their right to fish within our own waters, while our coastguard is empowered to patrol within our own territories.

During the recent series of standoffs between the Philippine coast guard and Chinese Coast Guard, the latter was always the one in violation of international law and acting provocatively, and this has been widely reported by the global media. The fact that both Quiboloy and Duterte appear to blame the Philippines and Filipino fishermen proves their loyalty and sympathy lie with China and Xi Jinping.

Here are important basic FACTS you need to know:

1. The Ayungin Shoal and Scarborough Shoal are well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EZZ).

Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located in the West Philippine Sea. It is a disputed area claimed by both the Philippines and China. The shoal is situated approximately 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, which is a province of the Philippines. The territorial status of Ayungin Shoal is part of the larger West Philippine Sea territorial disputes.

The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone that extends beyond a country’s territorial sea, and it is typically an area where a coastal state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. In the case of Ayungin Shoal, its specific legal status within the Philippines’ EEZ depends on the resolution of the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Scarborough Shoal is located in the West Philippine Sea, and its proximity to the Chinese coast is more than 500 nautical miles. The shoal is situated approximately 120 nautical miles west of the main island of Luzon in the Philippines. The closest Chinese coastlines are in Hainan Province, which is to the north of Scarborough Shoal.

2. Contrary to Duterte’s claim, China’s interference and harassment of Filipino fishermen continued and became worse during his time in power.

1. 2016: In July 2016, an international tribunal ruled against China’s territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, stating that they had no legal basis. Subsequent reports suggested that Filipino fishermen continued to face challenges, including harassment by Chinese vessels.
2. 2018: There were reports in 2018 of Chinese vessels, including coast guard ships and paramilitary maritime militia, intimidating and preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing traditional fishing grounds, particularly around Scarborough Shoal.
3. 2019: In June 2019, there were reports that Chinese vessels were blocking Filipino fishermen from entering the contested Scarborough Shoal. This led to diplomatic protests from the Philippines.
4. 2020: Throughout 2020, there were continued reports of Chinese vessels, including maritime militia, intimidating Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. These incidents contributed to ongoing tensions in the region.
5. 2021: Similar incidents were reported in 2021, with Filipino fishermen facing challenges from Chinese vessels around Scarborough Shoal and other disputed areas.