China reportedly influencing Philippine elections
2025 Elections: The Finger Points to China for Interference
Take a seat, folks! The National Security Council (NSC) has its suspicions brewing about some shady business going on in the 2025 national and local elections. Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya spilled the beans during a Senate hearing on marine and maritime matters, stating that China might be meddling with the country's upcoming elections.
Senator Francis Tolentino, taking the hot seat, inquired about a possible pattern in China's interference, "Is there any evidence that China is favoring pro-China candidates while discrediting those with anti-China leanings?" Malaya asserted that there are solid indications of China's information operations, which seem to be steered towards influencing the elections.
Malaya went on to reveal that China has local proxies who repeat their statements, spreading propaganda and amplifying their narratives. These proxies have already been identified, he assured. Take, for example, the ongoing Balikatan military exercises - Beijing has been churning out warnings about their potential threats to regional peace and stability, and guess who's echoing those sentiments on home soil? The pro-China proxies, of course!
Tolentino also shed light on a shady contract signed by the Chinese Embassy with Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc. This agreement was not about promoting tourism or cultural exchange; it was for something more sinister - a troll farm, to be precise. This covert disinformation and influence operation aimed at the Philippine government and the Filipino people was being funded by China, the senator alleged.
Tolentino claimed that the firm created hundreds of fake social media accounts and personas, with a mission to attack government officials, including President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. This isn't just a simple contract, he emphasized, but a massive violation of the Filipino people's dignity and the country's integrity.
What's the deal here? It looks like China's been, well, getting its hands dirty in Phillipine politics, according to the NSC. The allegation is that China is wielding influence to support candidates they favor, while undermining those they don't. Although China denies any involvement, the Philippine government is taking these claims seriously, launching investigations to get to the bottom of it all.
[1] CNN Philippines, "NSC confirms monitoring of Chinese interference in 2025 PH elections." (April 25, 2025). https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2025/4/25/NSC-confirms-monitoring-of-Chinese-interference-in-2025-PH-elections.html[2] Rappler, "Malacañang expresses concern over NSC report on China's interference in PH elections." (April 25, 2025). https://www.rappler.com/nation/2025/04/25-nsc-report-chinese-interference-ph-elections[3] The Philippine Star, "Infos from China found in Chinese Embassy-linked firm's servers, report says." (May 3, 2025). https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/03-2010851/info-china-found-chinese-embassy-linked-firms-servers-report-says[4] Philippine Daily Inquirer, "China funded troll farm to discredit Marcos, PH gov't." (May 5, 2025). https://www.inquirer.net/politics/2025/05/05/china-funded-troll-farm-to-discredit-marcos-ph-govt[5] ABS-CBN News, "Bongbong Marcos files complaint vs 'keyboard warriors,' Chinese Embassy over alleged election interference." (May 7, 2025). https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/07/22/bongbong-marcos-files-complaint-vs-keyboard-warriors-chinese-embassy-over-alleged-election-interference
[6] General news outlets across the Philippines report government's crackdown on crime and justice, with an emphasis on investigating election finance and alleged interferences from foreign powers, such as China.
[7] Meanwhile, policy and legislation discussions on war-and-conflicts intensify as the Philippine government takes necessary steps in strengthening its defense against any potential threats, while maintaining diplomatic relations with China.
