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| - SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Claim: The Philippines has sent military personnel to Taiwan to help defend the island against a potential invasion by China.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the video bearing the claim has garnered 50,765 views, 1,300 likes, and 48 comments. The YouTube channel responsible for the video has 779,000 subscribers.
The video’s thumbnail shows the text “Mga sundalo ng Pilipinas dumating na sa Taiwan! (Philippine soldiers have arrived in Taiwan!)” and includes an AI-generated image of soldiers bearing the Philippine flag.
Its title says: “Xi Jinping nabulabog! Pilipinas umaksyon na para sa Taiwan!” (Xi Jinping rattled! The Philippines has acted for Taiwan!)
The facts: There are no reports from the foreign affairs departments of the Philippines and Taiwan or the Philippines’ defense department about the supposed deployment of Filipino soldiers to Taiwan. The video does not provide any details about the claim nor does it present any proof to back up this assertion. It simply discusses the geopolitical situation involving China, Taiwan, and the Philippines, the latter being allies of the United States.
China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly organized military activities around the island. While Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims, its president Lai Ching-te has regularly offered talks with China but has been rebuffed.
Relations with Taiwan: In January 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Taiwan’s then-president-elect Lai on his electoral victory. China took offense at the congratulatory remarks, viewing Marcos’ statements as a serious violation of the One China principle.
The Philippines’ foreign affairs department, however, reaffirmed the country’s One China policy, under which the Philippines recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole Chinese government.
The US, meanwhile, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Military drills: In February 2024, the Philippines increased its military presence on its northernmost islands facing Taiwan. Between those islands and Taiwan is the Bashi Channel, a chokepoint for vessels transiting from the Western Pacific and the South China Sea. It is considered a critical waterway closely watched by both Chinese and American forces.
In October 2024, Filipino and US troops staged military drills in several areas across the country, including those facing Taiwan, after China conducted its own war games around the island.
In December 2024, Taiwan reported an increase in Chinese military aircraft around the island and called on Beijing to stop all “provocative acts.”
Debunked: Rappler has previously fact-checked false claims about China and Taiwan:
- FACT CHECK: China did not attack Taiwan
- FACT CHECK: Video does not show Chinese invasion of Taiwan
- Video does not show China attacking Taiwan
– Ramon Franco Verano/Rappler.com
Ramon Franco Verano is a graduate of Rappler’s volunteer program. He is a fourth year History student at the University of Santo Tomas. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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