The National Security Council (NSC) has raised concerns over suspected foreign influence in the upcoming May elections, pointing to possible state-sponsored information operations linked to China.
In a Senate hearing on Thursday, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya revealed that there are “indications” China may be conducting coordinated online campaigns aimed at influencing Filipino voters.
“There are indications that information operations are being conducted that are Chinese state sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections,” Malaya stated in response to Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino’s inquiry.
Tolentino pressed further, asking if China is actively supporting specific candidates. “So ang ibig sabihin nito may mga ongoing operations ang China para suportahan yung mga kandidatong gusto nilang manalo?… At kontrahin naman yung mga kandidatong ayaw nilang manalo?”
Malaya confirmed, “Yes, there are indications of that.”
The NSC pointed out that these alleged operations are deeply embedded in social media narratives, making them hard to detect. “Itong mga ganitong pangyayari hindi ito naiintidihan kaagad ng sambayanan dahil ito’y nakahalo na sa social media. Hindi mo na alam kung alin dito yung totoo,” Tolentino noted. Malaya agreed, saying, “That’s correct.”
As an example, Malaya cited narratives discrediting the Balikatan military exercises, which echo Beijing’s stance. “You will see narratives coming from Beijing that the Balikatan Exercises is a threat to regional peace and stability and you’ll also hear that kind of statement coming from local proxies who follow the script coming from Beijing,” he said.
Malaya added that the NSC has already identified these local actors believed to be amplifying foreign propaganda.
