The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has raised the alarm over a growing wave of online activity aimed at undermining the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to PCG spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela, they’re now tracking about 10,000 social media accounts that are pushing narratives against the Philippines’ position on the issue.
“When we first launched our transparency initiative, we were seeing only about a thousand troll accounts,” Tarriela told Philippine media members during a forum on Friday. “But now, the number has surged more than tenfold. We’re currently monitoring around 10,000 accounts actively countering our stance on the WPS.”
These accounts, Tarriela explained, operate at three levels: influencers or initiators who originate content, disseminators who spread it, and reposters who amplify it further. He added that many of these accounts claim the Philippines has no legal grounds for its maritime claims and accuse the country of provoking tensions in the region — sometimes even suggesting the U.S. is behind it all.
Government officials who speak out in support of the Philippines’ rights in the WPS are also being targeted by coordinated online attacks, according to Tarriela.
So what exactly are “trolls”?
In the online world, a troll is someone who deliberately stirs up trouble or spreads misleading information — often anonymously — with the aim of provoking emotional responses, sowing confusion, or manipulating public opinion.
Trolls can be individuals acting alone, but many are part of coordinated campaigns, especially when political or international issues are involved.
The phenomenon isn’t new. The term “troll” emerged in the early days of internet forums in the 1990s, initially referring to pranksters who tried to bait others into arguments. But over time, trolling evolved from simple mischief into a more organized — and sometimes weaponized — strategy. Today, troll networks are often linked to political propaganda, disinformation efforts, and even foreign influence operations.
READ ALSO: How the Philippine gov’t is waging war against fake news
The West Philippines Sea
The West Philippine Sea — which includes waters near the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc — has been a flashpoint in Philippine-China relations for years. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis.
Despite that landmark decision, the struggle to assert the Philippines’ rights in the area continues — now not just on the seas, but in the digital battleground as well.
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