Manila accuses Beijing of 'sinister' campaign to sway its midterms

It says Beijing also targeted S. China Sea row; tapped PR firm to push narratives

- Mara Cepeda

MANILA - The Philippines on April 24 accused China of orchestrating a "hidden and sinister" disinformation campaign to influence public opinion with pro-Beijing narratives, targeting not only the South China Sea dispute but also midterm election candidates critical of Beijing's claims.

During a Senate hearing on China's alleged espionage activities in the Philippines, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino presented documents as he accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of hiring a local public relations firm to operate a "troll" farm as early as 2023.

Mr Tolentino said that InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, based in the Philippines' financial district Makati, was tapped to influence public perception through fake social media accounts, while simultaneously attacking Philippine government policies seen as unfavorable to Beijing.

Among those being targeted, he said, were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, justices of the Supreme Court and lawmakers like Mr Tolentino, who is seeking re-election in the May polls.

"The money that the Chinese Embassy paid was for something hidden and sinister. It was to finance a troll farm," Mr Tolentino told the hearing. "(This is) a covert disinformation and influence operation against the Philippine government and the Filipino people".

Mr Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, called for the hearing on April 24 after recent arrests of suspected Chinese spies who have mapped out strategic areas in the Philippines, including military bases that the US has access to under a defense deal with Manila.

There are ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China over their overlapping claims in the South China Sea.