A Philippine vessel at Ayungin Shoal has been towed by China

The claim that a Philippine vessel at Ayungin Shoal was towed by China has been refuted by multiple credible sources. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have both warned the public against disinformation campaigns, specifically addressing the circulation of old videos misrepresented as recent incidents. A recent video circulated by Chinese state media purportedly shows a Chinese coast guard vessel towing a Philippine vessel; however, Philippine authorities have labeled this footage as "fake news," asserting that it likely depicts an incident from June 2024 rather than a current event. The AFP emphasized that such tactics aim to manipulate public perception and undermine the Philippines' sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, which is supported by a 2016 arbitral ruling affirming the Philippines' rights in the area. The AFP and PCG have urged the public to critically evaluate information and rely on credible sources to avoid falling victim to misinformation campaigns (ABS-CBN, Inquirer, South China Morning Post).