Philippines – The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) is condemning the alleged use of fake social media accounts to spread disinformation against the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea.
The PRSP’s statement follows Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino’s revelation of excerpts from a contract between a public relations agency and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. The contract was presented during the April 24 hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones.
The said contract outlined the deployment of “keyboard warriors” to ensure the “overall effectiveness of the issue management project.”
In the statement, PRSP emphasised its advocacy for communication based on honesty and integrity.
“While our role is to uphold and strengthen the reputation of our clients and organisations, this is not to be done at the expense of societal good,” the statement read.
“We believe in the power of words and stories to shape public perception and opinion. As such, we exert utmost care and effort to ensure that we adhere to a set of ethical standards in the practice of our profession.”
The organisation highlighted its code of ethics, which includes using public interest as a primary guide, ensuring accuracy, and upholding the law and order.
“PRSP urges vigilance and calls on the authorities to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring a thorough investigation on cases of misinformation and disinformation that upholds the rule of law and due process,” the statement read.
The long-standing West Philippine Sea dispute involves conflicting territorial claims and maritime rights within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The Philippines has been asserting its sovereignty based on international law, including a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
