Coast Guard's Tarriela hits back at China over PCIJ funding claimIn this photo uploaded on Facebook on Jan. 14, 2026, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela speaks at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s SDG Dialogue Series on the West Philippine Sea. Its statement followed a recent PCIJ news commentary video explaining how Filipinos can identify and spot pro-China propaganda online. “Uf the real aim was to discredit a foreign government rather than provide objective journalism, it would be illogical for the US to publicly disclose its funding to PCIJ,” Tarriela said. PCIJ's responseIn a statement, PCIJ said it regretted the embassy's allegation that it was being used as a propaganda tool of the United States. We are alarmed that the Chinese Embassy is attacking independent reporting by Filipinos.

Source: Philippine Star February 26, 2026 11:44 UTC