Beijing’s threat to release audio of Spratly deal shows China’s ‘frustration’ at Philippines
- China feels the Philippines has broken its word and badly damaged political trust, observer says
- Beijing could also be trying to counter Manila’s ‘assertive transparency’ tactics, another analyst suggests
According to a Bloomberg report on Monday, Beijing said that it would soon release the audio of a purported phone call with Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, head of the Philippine military’s Western Command which oversees Manila’s defence of the disputed Spratly Islands.
It did not say to whom Carlos was speaking during the call.
But in a statement published late Wednesday night, the Philippine Armed Forces said the purported recording was “a malign influence effort from the Chinese Communist Party”.
“Transcripts can easily be fabricated, and audio recordings can be manufactured by using deep fakes. These reports only [aim] to serve as a distraction from the China Coast Guard’s ongoing aggressive behaviour in the West Philippine Sea,” Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Romeo Brawner said.
