There are indications that China is interfering with the Philippines' midterm elections, an official of the National Security Council told a Senate committee on Thursday.
At the Senate inquiry on China's submersible drones and alleged espionage activities in the Philippines, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya answered in the affirmative when Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino asked if the alleged Chinese operations were supporting certain candidates.
"There are indications that information operations are being conducted... are Chinese state-sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections,” Malaya said.
Tolentino asked if the alleged operations were propping up candidates China wanted to win while undermining those whom it wanted to lose.
"Yes, there are indications of that," Malaya said.
GMA News Online reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Manila for comment and will publish it as soon as available.
Before Malaya’s remarks, National Intelligence Coordination Agency Deputy Director General Ace Acedillo said that the NICA observed Chinese organs were "amplifying divisive political discourse in our country."
Malaya cited as examples “narratives” that are being posted on social media from Beijing which “are being amplified by third party individuals who are their proxies.”
These are based in the Philippines, the NSC official added.
“Kung ano ‘yung script na nanggagaling sa Beijing, ‘yun din naman ang sinasabi nila sa Pilipinas. We can see that Mr. Chairman," Malaya said.
"For example, the Balikatan Exercises are happening right now, 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 added.
Malaya confirmed that the NSC has already identified the local proxies.
Candidates identified
In an ambush interview after the hearing, Malaya confirmed that the NSC has identified the candidates backed by China.
“Buti na lang hindi kami tinanong nyan kanina. Kasi kung tatanungin kami nyan we will have to request for an executive session,” Malaya said.
(It's good that we weren't asked this question earlier during the hearing. If we were asked that question, we would have asked for an executive session.)
Asked if these candidates might have been supported financially by China, Malaya said, “It is possible.”
“Kanina nga nakita natin may cheke pang ipinakita. So we have seen that. That's one of the tricks of the trade. So it's perfectly possible na may pera ding involve dito,” Malaya said.
(Earlier, a check was presented. So we have seen that. That's one of the tricks of the trade. So it's perfectly possible that money was involved.)
Malaya was referring to the check that the Chinese Embassy in Manila allegedly paid a Philippine-based public relations firm to supposedly hire trolls and spread disinformation on matters related to China.
He said the NSC has already talked to the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the information revealed in the Senate hearing that the Chinese Embassy had allegedly hired trolls in 2023.
"Maghahanap kami ng kaukulang kaso na pwede nating i-file,” Malaya said, reiterating the need for a law against foreign interference and malign influence, which will be used to prosecute these kinds of activities.
“Meron itong local troll farm na ginagamit diumano ng People’s Republic of China to influence political discourse in the Philippines. I am very sure na may criminal implications. So it’s NBI who should take a look at these things,” he added.
(We will look for an appropriate case we can file. A local troll farm is allegedly being used by the People's Republic of China to influence political discourse in the Philippines. I am very sure there are criminal implications.)
The Chinese Embassy in Manila and InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. have yet to comment on the alleged contract that they brokered in 2023 for the supposed hiring of “keyboard warriors.”
Comelec comment
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been informed by the intelligence community of the alleged foreign interference,which also allegedly aims to “influence the elections and condition the minds of the people on the poll results."
“Mayroon tayong natanggap na intelligence information coming from different agencies na kasama natin. Kahit yung nakikita sa social media na tumataligsa sa Comelec o sa proseso, naka-automatic bot po yun. Ito ay nangggaling sa ibang bansa at hindi sa atin bansa. Pero may mga ginagamit dito upang masigurado na kung ano ima-maginify o palalakihin na isyu, yun ang makikita ng sambayanan,” Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said.
(We received information from different agencies saying that even the repeated comments about Comelec on social media were part of it. They were automatic bots coming fromanother country.)
“Sa ating mga kababayan, sana 'wag natin kaagad paniwalaan ang nakikita natin lalo na sa social media. Dapat totoo, dapat kung ano lang ang katotohanan. Dapat yun lang ang paniwalaan,” Garcia added.
(We urge Filipinos to refrain from believing everything they see on social media. We should only believe the truth.)
Garcia said foreign influence operations started at least a month ago and were not intended to malign the poll body or certain candidates. Despite this, Garcia guaranteed the upcoming elections wouldbe fair and honest.
“Wala pong mangyayaring dayaan sa ating halalan. Ginagarantiya po natin na magiging fair tayo sa lahat,” Garcia added.
(There will be no fraud in the elections. We will ensure a fair election for all.) –AOL/NB, GMA Integrated News
For more Eleksyon 2025-related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
