The Coast Guard has informed the Senate that China may be spreading false information about the WPS dispute.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, Coast Guard Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, expressed his views during a Senate joint hearing of the committees on national defense and security, unification and reconciliation, foreign relations, public works, and finance. He claimed that his sources for information are his contacts in news organizations.

According to information acquired from media contacts, certain journalists are attempting to redirect attention away from China's aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea. According to the official, this information operation requires governmental assistance, and some Filipinos are siding with China.

On August 5, China's Coast Guard fired water cannons at a convoy of Philippine boats, and on September 8, it attempted to block another convoy, restarting tensions between China and the Philippines.