Fact Check Report: “US Missile System a Poison to Philippines”

The Chinese newspaper article titled “Deployment of US Typhon Missile System a Poison to Philippines” frames the U.S. military’s placement of missile systems in the Philippines as detrimental to the nation’s sovereignty and regional peace. It presents the deployment as a strategy by the U.S. to exploit the Philippines as a pawn in its geopolitical competition against China, with long-term negative implications for the Philippines.

Summary:

The article asserts that the deployment of the U.S. Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines, which includes the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile capable of targeting China, is a direct threat to China. Quoting several Chinese scholars and experts, the article suggests that this action undermines the Philippines’ sovereignty, compromises its independence, and destabilizes regional peace. The main arguments are:

1. The Typhon missile system is aimed at China.
2. The Philippines’ dependence on U.S. military protection is short-sighted and compromises its strategic independence.
3. The U.S. is using the Philippines to advance its Indo-Pacific Strategy, thus manipulating the country into confronting China.
4. The deployment will lead to a deterioration of Philippines-China relations and harm regional peace.

Propaganda Analysis:

1. Misrepresentation of U.S. Strategic Intent:

The article paints the U.S. as an imperial power seeking to exploit the Philippines for its own geopolitical gain, without acknowledging the complex nature of U.S.-Philippines military relations. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the two countries allows for rotational U.S. military presence to enhance the Philippines’ defense capabilities. The article’s framing as “forever” is misleading, as it ignores the temporary and cooperative nature of the U.S. military’s presence, agreed upon by both governments under mutual defense treaties.

• Propaganda Element: The article frames the U.S. as a manipulative and exploitative power, portraying the Philippines as a helpless pawn. This framing taps into anti-American sentiment and distracts from the mutual defense agreements that have been established between the U.S. and the Philippines to enhance regional security, including the South China Sea dispute.

2. Selective Quoting of Experts:

The article relies on Chinese experts and carefully selected sources such as Dai Fan and Sun Xihui to build the narrative that the Philippines is sacrificing its sovereignty and becoming “cannon fodder” for the U.S. agenda. However, it excludes opinions from a broader range of geopolitical and military experts, particularly those outside of China, who might provide a more balanced perspective on the benefits of the U.S.-Philippine defense partnership.

• Framing Element: The article’s one-sided reliance on Chinese sources omits the voices of Philippine defense officials, independent international experts, or U.S. government representatives. This skewed narrative distorts the complexity of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and undermines the legitimate concerns of the Philippines regarding China’s territorial ambitions in the South China Sea.

3. Fearmongering about Regional Peace:

The article implies that the presence of the U.S. missile system will destabilize the entire Indo-Pacific region and provoke China into potential military action. However, the deployment of defensive missile systems is a response to security concerns in the region, especially regarding China’s militarization of the South China Sea. By emphasizing potential conflict and suggesting that the Philippines is being “poisoned” by the U.S., the article ignores China’s own aggressive posturing and militarization in the region.

• Fake Claim: The claim that the Typhon system will poison relations and lead to a loss of Philippine self-determination is not supported by evidence. The article fails to provide concrete proof that the missile system deployment has directly caused diplomatic fallout or compromised the Philippines’ sovereignty.

4. Portrayal of the Philippines as Naive:

The article repeatedly characterizes the Philippines as strategically incompetent, “short-sighted,” and lacking in the ability to make decisions in its own best interests. It presents a paternalistic view where China is the rational actor, and the Philippines is blindly following U.S. manipulation. This undermines the Philippines’ agency and the complex decision-making processes that consider national security and regional threats, such as China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

• Propaganda Element: This narrative of the Philippines as a naive, easily manipulated nation fosters a sense of superiority from the Chinese perspective and is designed to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Philippines’ military alliances.

5. Omission of China’s Military Buildup:

The article conveniently omits the fact that China has been actively militarizing islands and constructing military bases in the South China Sea, actions that have been widely criticized by the international community. These activities have escalated tensions in the region, prompting countries like the Philippines to seek stronger defense partnerships with allies such as the U.S.

• Framing Element: By omitting China’s military activities in the South China Sea, the article presents a distorted narrative in which the U.S. is the sole aggressor, positioning China as a victim of foreign intervention.

The article “Deployment of US Typhon Missile System a Poison to Philippines” contains significant propaganda and framing elements designed to paint the U.S. as an aggressor and China as a victim of Western intervention. It selectively uses expert opinions, omits critical context about China’s militarization, and misrepresents the U.S.-Philippine defense partnership. The article aims to influence public opinion in favor of China by fostering anti-U.S. sentiment and portraying the Philippines as strategically incompetent.