Philippine Defense Chiefs Debunk Disinformation at Shangri-La Dialogue

Philippine Defense Officials Hit Back at Disinformation at Shangri-La Dialogue Singapore – Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. have directly addressed claims of deliberate disinformation campaigns targeting their participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue. The event, a prominent annual security summit, took place in Singapore on June 2nd, 2025. Notably, China chose not to send representatives to this year's dialogue. The officials' statements directly refute narratives circulating on social media platforms, particularly WeChat. Secretary Teodoro stated, "There are those pretending to be journalists who are twisting our words and creating false narratives." General Brawner added, "Yesterday, we were blocked and pressured to answer questions, but because we were in a hurry to attend a bilateral meeting, we didn't answer. Later, they published a distorted version of the story on WeChat, claiming we were avoiding questions about the West Philippine Sea." The officials' comments highlight the growing concern over the spread of misinformation and its impact on international relations. Their willingness to address these concerns directly underscores the importance of transparency and accurate reporting in the digital age. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges of navigating geopolitical complexities and the need for critical evaluation of information sources.