By Bea Rollo
(April 24, 2025) – Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Thursday exposed alleged troll farm operations funded by the Chinese government aimed at discrediting anti-China personalities, the Philippine government, and the country itself.
In a Senate hearing by the Special Committee on Admiralty and Maritime Zones, Tolentino presented a contract allegedly linking the Chinese Embassy and local PR firm Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc., dated August 2023.
“The money that the Chinese embassy paid was for something hidden and sinister— it was to finance a troll farm,” Tolentino said.
According to the senator, the Chinese Embassy paid Infinitus P930,000 for the deployment of “keyboard warriors” tasked with spreading disinformation and manipulating public discourse.
“Malamang-lamang itong mga keyboard warrior ay mga kababayan natin, mga Pilipino. Kasi hindi ito lahat naka-base sa China,” Tolentino stressed.
“Hindi po ito normal public relations— hindi po ito normal PR campaign.”
The senator said the trolls, operating under fake identities on social media platforms like Facebook, posed as ordinary Filipinos, students, and professionals to appear credible.
These accounts reportedly posted content favorable to China and critical of Philippine policies, especially regarding the West Philippine Sea and Pres. Bongbong Marcos.
Tolentino also cited online attacks targeting 2nd District, Surigao Del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, who had previously issued statements critical of China’s activities in Philippine waters.
He warned that the operation is a “disturbing foreign interference” in Philippine affairs and urged vigilance among the public.
Tolentino emphasized the importance of exposing such covert activities to protect national integrity and called for further investigation into the scope of foreign-sponsored online manipulation.
He also called on Filipinos to remain vigilant against foreign influence seeking to destabilize the nation.
(With reports from Maeanne Los Baños-Oroceo)
(AAD)
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