By Bea Rollo
(April 25, 2025) — China has denied allegations that it is meddling in the Philippines’ upcoming 2025 national and local elections.
The denial comes after the National Security Council (NSC) claimed there were indications of state-sponsored information operations linked to Beijing.
“China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun in a press conference on Thursday.
“We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections.”
The concern surfaced during a Senate hearing on Thursday, April 24, led by the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zone. NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya revealed that there were signs of a Chinese operation aiming to influence the election outcome in the country.
These operations reportedly aim to support candidates favorable to Beijing while discrediting those critical of China’s policies.
Malaya further emphasized that these activities are designed to influence the outcome of the elections by manipulating public opinion through social media platforms.
“There are indications that information operations are being conducted but are Chinese state sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections,” Malaya said.
Moreover, Sen. Francis Tolentino, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, corroborated Malaya’s statements by presenting a copy of a check amounting to P930,000 allegedly linking the Chinese Embassy and local PR firm Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc.
ALSO READ: China allegedly funded troll farm operations vs. PH, revealed Tolentino
According to Tolentino, the firm was contracted to operate troll farms and create fake social media accounts to disseminate pro-China narratives and undermine certain Philippine government officials.
“Akala natin ‘yun ang tunay na sentimiyento ng mga nagpo-post at nagre-react, subalit ito pala
ay nagpapatunay na binayaran. Binayaran ng PRC para sirain hindi lang ang krediblidad ng isang tao o namumuno kundi ng ating bansa,” Tolentino said.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has also acknowledged the potential for foreign interference in the electoral process.
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia noted that the commission has observed unusual patterns on social media, such as automated bots generating hundreds of thousands of views and tens of thousands of comments within a short period.
Garcia warned that these activities could be attempts to manipulate public perception and influence the election results.
In response to these developments, the NSC has compiled a list of local proxies allegedly collaborating with Chinese operatives, including ten prominent social media influencers.
The council plans to forward this list to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for further investigation.
As the midterm elections approach, Philippine authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and critical of information encountered on social media.
(With reports from Maeanne Los Baños-Oroceo, Mon Gualvez, News5)
(AAD)
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