AFP denies China towed BRP Sierra Madre, warns of disinformation

The Armed Forces of the Philippines comes out with this notice to the public.

[Updated Aug. 2, 2025, 8:50 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cautioned the public on Saturday against disinformation campaigns related to the West Philippine Sea (WPS), including the circulation of old videos being passed off as recent incidents near Ayungin Shoal.

The military flagged what it described as a “deliberate” attempt to mislead Filipinos by falsely labeling recycled footage as new confrontations involving Chinese vessels in the WPS.

“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 in a statement.

The warning comes after the surfacing of a video on a social media platform claiming that China towed away a Philippine vessel near the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. The video, however, appears to show old footage.

Citing China Bugle, a media account affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army news media center, Chinese state-run Global Times also claimed that China Coast Guard personnel blocked Philippine resupply boats from “infringing” on Ayungin Shoal and managed to tow them “in just six minutes.”

The post did not indicate when the supposed incident occurred and used low-resolution video clips that had previously circulated online.

The South China Morning Post on Friday also reported the same claim.

READ: Malaya-on-ayungin-shoal/ 

The AFP said, “It remains steadfast in defending our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”

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

Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as affirmed by the 2016 arbitral ruling issued in The Hague.

The landmark decision invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the contested waters.

“The truth is our strongest defense,” said the AFP.

Asked about the circulating video, Department of National Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters at Clark Air Base that he has yet to see the video and he would first verify the information before planning any course of action.

The last reported incident in Ayungin Shoal occurred on June 17, 2024, when China Coast Guard personnel rammed, towed, and boarded Philippine Navy rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) during a rotation and resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.

The AFP estimated the damage from the encounter at P60 million, covering navigation and communications equipment aboard the RHIBs. One Filipino soldier also lost a finger during the confrontation.

No other incidents involving the BRP Sierra Madre have been reported since.  /mr