DND denies Chinese Coast Guard towing Philippine vessel in Ayungin Shoal

The Department of National Defense (DND) has not confirmed reports that a Chinese Coast Guard ship towed a Philippine vessel in Ayungin Shoal, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stating these claims are false and based on old footage.

During an event in Clark, Pampanga on Saturday, DND chief Teodoro stated they have no information to verify the claims reported by South China Morning Post and circulating on social media.

Commodore Jay Tarriela of PCG said that recent videos showing confrontations are at least a year old and not reflective of current events in Ayungin Shoal.

Tarriela emphasized these reports as misinformation being spread by China to weaken the Philippines' position in the West Philippine Sea, noting there has been no such incident recently based on their monitoring records.

Teodoro reiterated the need for verification before planning any response, stating that he and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., have yet to see the circulating video online.