AFP: China's net claim is malign influence

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dismissed China's claim that Filipino troops destroyed and seized Chinese fishing nets in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a "malign influence" tactic.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stated that China's accusation is a distraction from their own illegal and aggressive activities in the WPS.

The Philippine Navy reportedly pulled 100 meters of fishing net onto the BRP Sierra Madre after Chinese fisherfolk left.

Earlier, the Philippine Navy also presented a video to debunk the Chinese state media's claim that Filipino troops pointed guns at Chinese agents.

Padilla emphasized that the Philippines is committed to defending its sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS, which are recognized under international law.

She further noted that the presence of Chinese vessels within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is illegal and provocative.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said China's claim over the West Philippine Sea has no legal basis, but Beijing did not honor the decision.