BY: PLTCOL Byron Filog Allatog
Social media has emerged as a transformative force in today’s AI- driven world, empowering individuals, shaping public discourse, and influencing global geopolitics. Its impact is evident in the rise and sustained popularity of leaders like Donald Trump (Twitter/X), Joko Widodo (Instagram), and Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook), highlighting its ability to shape narratives and mobilize public support.
Social media presents a crucial tool for the Philippines to address a pressing challenge: China’s aggressive gray zone tactics in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). By strategically utilizing these platforms, the Philippines can expose the gray zone tactics or China’s Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive (ICAD) actions—an approach highlighted by General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines—strengthen its Transparency Strategy, and assert its sovereignty.
Achieving this requires unity among Filipinos to support the country’s legal claims and fortify the principles of international law in the contested area. A unified domestic front can amplify the Philippines’ position, enabling more precise and impactful international support to counter China’s actions effectively.
The Challenge: China’s Gray Zone Tactics and “Three Warfares”
China’s “Three Warfares” strategy—legal, media, and psychological warfare—aims to reshape perceptions, manipulate international law, and undermine adversaries’ resolve. In the WPS, this strategy involves disinformation campaigns, legal maneuvering, and psychological intimidation to legitimize China’s expansive territorial claims despite their invalidation by international law, including the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines.
The construction of artificial islands, militarization of contested territories, and harassment of Filipino vessels illustrate the ICAD approach. Alongside these actions, Beijing’s powerful propaganda apparatus works to legitimize its presence while masking its coercive tactics. This strategy mirrors China’s approach during the Ukraine crisis, where it shaped narratives to advance its geopolitical interests, indirectly supported Russia, and deflected criticism from the international community.
Wolf Warrior Diplomacy and the “Three Warfares”
China’s assertive “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy” further exemplifies using the Three Warfares strategy. In disputes like the WPS and during the Ukraine crisis, Chinese diplomats actively dismiss international criticism and redirect blame to external actors, such as the United States, accusing them of interfering in regional affairs. By portraying itself as a reasonable power advocating peace and stability, China aims to divide opposition and weaken the collective resolve of its adversaries. This diplomatic posture complements its broader gray zone tactics, presenting a significant challenge for nations like the Philippines.
The Power of Social Media
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube have demonstrated their ability to mobilize populations, shape political narratives, and amplify underrepresented voices. Historical examples like the Arab Spring and the recent two Philippine elections underscore their transformative potential. Recognizing this, China has also weaponized social media to control narratives and suppress dissent, targeting countries like Taiwan and the Philippines with disinformation campaigns.
Social media presents an opportunity for the Philippines to counter China’s influence. As the “social media capital of the world,” the Philippines boasts a highly connected population capable of mobilizing support and challenging disinformation. This digital strength can be a powerful counterweight to China’s “Three Warfares” and ICAD tactics.
Lessons from the Ukraine Crisis
China’s response to the Ukraine crisis offers valuable insights into its broader geopolitical strategies and narrative control. During the conflict, Beijing amplified pro-Russian narratives while deflecting criticism from Moscow, often redirecting blame toward NATO and the United States. These efforts highlighted China’s ability to shape global perceptions through state-controlled media and extensive censorship. On platforms like “Weibo,” dissenting voices were systematically suppressed, ensuring alignment with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) official stance.
A hallmark of China’s approach during the Ukraine crisis was its calibrated “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy.” Chinese diplomats maintained a consistent yet circumspect tone, refraining from explicitly condemning or endorsing Russia’s actions. They avoided labeling the situation as a Russian invasion while instead redirecting attention to broader geopolitical issues, such as NATO’s expansion and perceived US hypocrisy. Statements highlighted what they framed as disproportionate concern for civilian casualties in Ukraine compared to conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, subtly shifting blame while muddying the narrative.
In the WPS, China employs similar tactics, including disinformation campaigns, to justify its expansive territorial claims and undermine the Philippines’ sovereignty. The parallels between the Ukraine crisis and the WPS dispute emphasize the urgency of developing robust information defenses. Beijing’s capacity to manipulate narratives presents a significant challenge for smaller states like the Philippines, necessitating proactive countermeasures.
Strategic Approaches to Social Media Engagement
1. Exposing China’s ICAD Activities
Social media offers a platform to document and disseminate evidence of China’s illegal activities in the WPS. The Philippines can counter China’s narratives and raise global awareness by sharing real- time updates, satellite images, and firsthand accounts. This approach disrupts Beijing’s information control and fosters international scrutiny, potentially leading to diplomatic and economic consequences for China.
2. Enhancing Transparency Strategy
The Philippines’ Transparency Strategy involves a collective effort by government agencies, civil society, and citizens to monitor and report on China’s actions. Social media amplifies this initiative by enabling real-time reporting and disseminating credible information. Encouraging citizen participation and leveraging the power of independent media further strengthens this strategy, creating a robust counter-narrative to China’s propaganda.
3. Rallying Domestic and International Support
Social media can foster patriotism and national unity among Filipinos, inspiring collective action to defend the country’s territorial integrity. Internationally, platforms can be used to build alliances and generate solidarity with nations committed to upholding the rule of law. By highlighting the broader implications of China’s actions, the Philippines can secure diplomatic and moral support, translating into tangible measures such as international pressure on China or support in global forums.
4. Defending Sovereignty and Asserting Rights
In the digital age, controlling the narrative is as crucial as defending physical territory. Social media enables the Philippines to assert its rightful claims, challenge China’s incursions, and present its case to the international community. This strategy strengthens the Philippines’ position and ensures its perspective is represented in global discourse.
The Philippines stands at the forefront of the digital battle for sovereignty in the WPS. Using social media strategically can expose China’s three warfare strategies, gray zone tactics and wolf warrior diplomacy, bolster transparency, rally domestic and international support, and assert territorial rights. In this context, social media becomes more than a communication tool—it is a powerful instrument for shaping perceptions, mobilizing action, and defending sovereignty. A unified and strategic approach can empower the Philippines to protect its national interests, foster patriotism, and uphold the rule of law in the region.