Misleading

JEERS TO The Daily Tribune for its misleading story on the cause of further delays on the Pag-asa Island repairs.

Its June 29 article “Gov’t uses sea row as ‘scapegoat’ on repair delays for AFP facilities” reported on the Philippines’ allegedly deliberate move to postpone repairs on the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ facilities housed on Pag-asa Island until after the tribunal on the Philippine-Chinese territorial dispute.

It quoted Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.  as saying that the decision was part of the country’s “strategy of rules-based and diplomatic approach” and of keeping  the “status quo” in areas involved in the maritime conflict.

Contrary to its headline, the report did not mention any source.  It provided background on the rising tensions between China and the United States, but  did not back the report’s claim that it was using the maritime dispute to delay repairs on AFP facilities .

The Manila Bulletin (“AFP to stop maintenance works in Pag-asa Island,” June 28, 2015) and Philippine Star (“Philippines stops repairs on Pag-asa Island,” June 29, 2015) also cited Coloma’s comments on the latest update on the Pag-asa island facilities, but neither mentioned the Tribune’s “scapegoat” claim.

The Bulletin focused on the country’s efforts to maintain peace pending the resolution of the maritime dispute.  The Star recounted Malacanang’s replies to China’s increasing allegations of “roping in neighboring countries” and “exaggerating facts”.