NBI probes China's election interference

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has launched a probe on allegations of China's interference in the Philippines' midterm elections.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS and EJ MACABABBAD

In a Viber message to The STAR, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the agency's Intelligence Division, headed by assistant director Noel Bocaling, has been tasked to lead the investigation.

The launch of a probe by the NBI stemmed from the National Security Council (NSC) asking the Chinese embassy to explain payments made to a Makati-based firm allegedly to manage "dedicated keyboard warriors."

At a briefing yesterday, NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya questioned the Chinese embassy's apparent involvement in the internal affairs of the Philippines.

He also raised concern over Chinese state-sponsored information operations aimed at influencing the political discourse in the Philippines.

The issue gained further attention after Sen. Francis Tolentino disclosed that the Chinese embassy had hired the Makatibased firm InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. to manage crisis and campaign issues.