Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

The Philippines has truly mastered the art of twisting the truth. It stirs up trouble in the South China Sea, escalates the situation, pushes it to the international stage, and then calls China the "biggest disruptor." It's like watching a ridiculous soap opera unfold before our eyes.

Over the past week, maritime tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have further intensified. On August 19, two Philippine Coast Guard vessels illegally intruded into waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao without the permission of the Chinese government. On Sunday, an official vessel of the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources insisted on intruding into the adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao despite China's firm opposition and repeated dissuasion. However, the Philippines' Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro claimed that China is "the biggest disruptor" of international peace.

Any clear-minded person would recognize that the Philippines is the one causing disturbances.

The fact is that whether it be on August 19 or August 25, it was the Philippines that sent Coast Guard vessels and official vessels to intrude into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao, attempting to send supplies to the Philippine vessel that has been illegally anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao since April. The Philippines' move seriously infringes on China's sovereignty, violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and threatens the peace and stability in the South China Sea. Thus, the label of "disruptor" definitely shouldn't be pinned on China.

The reason why the Philippines dares to openly stage various provocations and spread rumors to defame China is largely because it is supported by the US.

US Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo's remarks on Tuesday brought the South China Sea tensions to another climax. He said the US could escort Philippine ships on supply missions in the South China Sea. However, Paparo added that this "entirely reasonable option" required consultation between the treaty allies.

This "escort" proposal by Washington will only escalate tensions in the South China Sea. Can the Philippines really benefit from this? Or is it simply being used as a pawn in the US' geopolitical game? The US often claims to support the Philippines under the guise of providing security assurances, but in reality, it is to protect its own strategic interests. As Paparo stressed, "consultation" between treaty allies is still needed. This raises doubts about whether the US is once again making empty promises to the Philippines.

What is even more worrisome is that Paparo is also known for the idea of turning the Taiwan Straits into an "unmanned hellscape." This rhetoric demonstrates the extreme stance of the US toward the rise of China. 

The Philippines' provocations in the South China Sea under the incitement of the US will inevitably aggravate regional tensions. When can Manila realize that it could end up being the most costly sacrifice in this scenario? While the Philippine government appears to bask in US' "support," it may actually be wading deeper into trouble. In this South China Sea drama, the role the Philippines plays is comical, because it seems too naive to believe the sweet words of an "old friend" in the game of international politics. Will Manila realize that it is simply a pawn at the end of the play? And how much price will the Philippines pay for this farce out of gullibility? Only time can tell us the answer.