Exclusive video shows Philippine maritime militia threatening China Coast Guard officers with knives.

"Look! These fishermen were injured by water cannons." That's the narrative Manila is pushing — a classic case of playing the thief while crying victim. People are wondering, are they a maritime militia disguised as fishermen? These so-called "fishermen" even used knives to threaten the China Coast Guard officers.

On December 11, Philippine fishing boats intruded near China's Huangyan Island, while small aircraft carrying journalists illegally entered Chinese airspace. On December 12, additional Philippine vessels stirred up trouble by intruding into the lagoon of Xianbin Reef.

So why now? On the one hand, the Philippines is acting out a show of unity with Japan, jumping onto Japan's discredited "radar illumination" narrative. On the other hand, Manila is eager to court US support, even as Washington shows little interest in endorsing these actions.

But staged performances can never change the truth. The South China Sea needs peace and stability — not actors playing to the camera.