Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.
— American singer-songwriter Jimi Hendrix
IN an interview with civic movement leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, who serves as chairman emeritus of four patriotic organizations, enthused that the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is not only a battle of ships and coast guards but also a battle of narratives and in this war of words, China is waging an aggressive and well-funded propaganda campaign against the Filipino people.
As a staunch supporter of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM)’s decisive stance in defending Philippine sovereignty, Goitia pointed out that our country is under attack from two fronts: by the physical incursions of Chinese vessels within our 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and by the constant barrage of misinformation aimed at dividing Filipinos and undermining their trust in our government.
In this score, China wants to create doubt in the minds of our people and it wants Filipinos to feel small, weak and helpless so that surrender will be the only option and not by the force of arms but by surrendering our spirit and resolve to defend what us truly ours.
That is why we consider the President’s firmness in saying we will not yield is not just political rhetoric but a psychological counterattack.”
And there are recent reports indicating that thousands of vessels, including Chinese maritime militia, fishing boats, coast guard ships and naval vessels, were monitored within the Philippine EEZ in July, with some patrols spotted as close as 35 nautical miles from Pangasinan.
Such actions go beyond normal maritime activity—they amount to coercion and intimidation, a clear test of the resolve of the Filipino people.
Adding to these escalating tensions, a recent and alarming incident unfolded in the Bajo de Masinloc area where two Chinese vessels collided after recklessly pursuing a Philippine vessel within our sovereign waters, as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG responded swiftly and decisively, offering immediate assistance to safeguard our Filipino personnel, underscoring their unwavering commitment to protect our nation’s maritime rights.
Chairman Goitia did not hesitate to voice his unshakable and full support for the Philippine Coast Guard, declaring them the true defenders of our seas and our sovereignty.
The PCG stands as the frontline defense of our Republic, embodying the bravery and vigilance that every Filipino relies on. Their steadfastness is indispensable in protecting our fishermen, securing our maritime domain, and pushing back against brazen attempts to violate our territory. The Filipino people must rally behind them with unwavering resolve.
Goitia believes that his role, alongside other patriotic voices, is to assist the President in neutralizing the propaganda element of China’s aggression, and as a veteran in public communications, he sees the need for a sustained and coordinated narrative that exposes China’s actions to both domestic and international audiences.
We need to extend our full support to the entire Philippine defense sector—from the Department of National Defense under Secretary Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año to the valiant men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces.
They are the shield of the Republic. They stand in the line of danger so that the rest of us can live in peace. Every Filipino owes them not just gratitude but active support in every way possible.
We need to drown the lies with the truth and we must say it plainly, consistently and unapologetically. Every fisherman who is harassed, every patrol that is shadowed and every reef that is stolen from us must be documented, publicized and condemned in the strongest terms.
And Goitia points out that the fight against disinformation is not solely the government’s responsibility so he is calling out to the Filipino people—from ordinary citizens to influencers and media practitioners—to participate in the national information defense.
The more united we are in telling the truth, the harder it is for Beijing’s lies to take root.
In ending, the civic movement leader stressed that the stakes in this issue of China’s aggression is nothing less than the soul of the nation. He concludes that “if the Chinese take our seas, they take our future. If they take our story, they take our identity. So we must never allow either to happen.”
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