AFP dismisses Chinese social media claims on Palawan as propaganda

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dismissed on Monday, March 3, claims circulating on Chinese social media that Palawan was once part of China as mere propaganda.

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, stated in a television interview over ANC that such Chinese claims do not surprise the military and are typical of their propaganda efforts, urging netizens to be critical and circumspect when sharing information online.

Posts emerged on platforms like Weibo and Rednote last week where users claimed Palawan was governed by China for 1000 years and included within its 'dash-line' territorial claims in the South China Sea, known as the 'Zheng He Island'.

Padilla emphasized that international law supports Philippine sovereignty over Palawan, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitral ruling which favored the Philippines.

The spokesperson added that the AFP would continue to uphold and guard the country's sovereignty in light of the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling invalidating China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.