Three YouTube videos claimed that the Czech Republic will come to the Philippines’ defense amid rising tensions with China and that a United States (U.S.) aircraft carrier will be permanently stationed in the country. Both claims are false.
The Czech Republic and the Philippines are only exploring a possible cooperation on defense matters while American warship USS Ronald Reagan just made a visit to Manila and has already left the country.
First uploaded on Oct. 29, five days after the newly appointed Czech ambassador met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., one video bore the headline:
“PBBM PAGBABAYARIN NA CHINA! NAGTAGO NA! U.S DESTROYER NAKATUTOK NA KANYON! CZECH LALABAN PARA PINAS (PBBM will make China pay! They started hiding! A U.S. destroyer has aimed its cannon. Czech will fight for the Philippines)!”
During his presentation of credentials on Oct. 24, Czech Ambassador Karel Hejč said the two countries will discuss collaboration on defense, business and agriculture next year.
Marcos also said the European country has offered maritime vessels that the Philippines could use to bolster its maritime security.
Neither Hejč nor Marcos mentioned anything about the Czech Republic mobilizing its armed forces to defend the Philippines in case of an armed attack.
At the beginning of the video, a narrator also erroneously claimed that the USS Ronald Reagan will remain docked in Manila:
“Biglang napikon ang People’s Liberation Army nang malamang hindi na aalis sa Pilipinas ang USS aircraft na Ronald Reagan (The People’s Liberation Army was suddenly infuriated after it learned that USS aircraft [carrier] Ronald Reagan will no longer leave the Philippines.”
While USS Ronald Reagan did arrive in Manila on Oct. 28, it was only for a routine port call and not a permanent deployment. The warship departed on Nov. 1.
Prior to its recent visit, the aircraft carrier docked in the Philippines in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
The erroneous videos merely played news reports from PTV and UNTV about the new Czech ambassador’s appointment and the USS Ronald Reagan’s visit.
Uploaded by YouTube channels Boss Balita TV, BALITA NI JUAN and WANGBUDISS TV, the untrue videos collectively garnered 115,416 views, 3,425 views and 500 comments. Netizens also shared the links on Facebook.
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