Manila Beijing in 'video war' over South China Sea

(MENAFN- Arab News) MANILA: The Philippines will broadcast a three-part documentary to defend its position on the disputed South China Sea on Friday countering a Chinese television series that laid out Beijing's so-called nine-dash line claims.

The documentary titled 'Karapatan sa Dagat' or maritime rights will be aired on state-run television as the country observes Independence Day.
'Our objective is to inform our people' Charles Jose the foreign ministry spokesman said adding they hoped to 'rally support of our people behind our Philippine government's policy and action.'
The Philippines has filed an arbitration case against China which claims almost the entire South China Sea believed to be rich in energy resources and where $5 trillion ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei Malaysia Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims on the sea.
In 2013 China's state-run CCTV network aired an eight-part documentary called 'Journey on the South China Sea' a rare peak into how Beijing was trying to consolidate its claims in the disputed sea.
The 'video war' comes as China rapidly expands its footprint in the South China Sea constructing at least one airstrip and other military facilities on reclaimed land in the Spratly islands. Jose said Manila was also planning to release a comic book to raise Filipinos' awareness.