Philippine Lawmakers Investigate Alleged Chinese Disinformation Campaign on Social Media
Manila, Philippines – Concerns are mounting in the Philippines over alleged Chinese-backed disinformation campaigns spreading across social media platforms. Leaders of the House of Representatives are calling for a thorough investigation into these campaigns, focusing on their potential impact on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute and the dissemination of political propaganda favoring specific individuals within the country. The investigation comes amid heightened tensions in the WPS and growing anxieties about foreign interference in Philippine domestic affairs.
The investigation, spearheaded by the House Tripartite Committee on Fake News and Disinformation (TriComm), was prompted by alarming revelations presented by independent media organization PressOne.PH. Their research uncovered a network of over 107 fake X (formerly Twitter) accounts, initially created for Spanish-speaking audiences but later repurposed to spread misinformation about the WPS dispute and amplify pro-Duterte propaganda. The accounts, bearing Chinese names, raised suspicions of a coordinated effort to manipulate public opinion in the Philippines regarding the sensitive maritime territorial dispute.
Representative Rodge Gutierrez, a key figure in the investigation, expressed deep concern over the alleged link between Chinese-backed disinformation campaigns and the promotion of certain political figures. He emphasized the urgency of addressing how paid social media personalities and influencers amplify these narratives, warning against allowing foreign entities to manipulate public perception through online platforms. Gutierrez highlighted the potential threat to Philippine democracy posed by such foreign interference, particularly given the ongoing national security challenges in the WPS.
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong echoed Gutierrez’s concerns, emphasizing the gravity of the disinformation network, especially with the 2025 elections approaching. Adiong stressed the need to regulate the spread of misinformation and disinformation, arguing that propaganda-driven falsehoods undermine democratic processes and jeopardize national security. He emphasized the urgency of the investigation, recognizing the potential for these campaigns to destabilize the country in the lead-up to the crucial elections.
The TriComm’s investigation has revealed the sophisticated nature of these disinformation networks, highlighting how they actively manipulate online discourse to mislead the public. The committee’s findings have underscored the increasingly complex challenge of combating disinformation in the digital age, where fabricated narratives can rapidly proliferate across social media platforms and influence public opinion. The committee is now considering stronger regulations to hold those involved accountable and safeguard the integrity of the country’s democratic processes.
The investigation has also faced resistance. Several social media influencers implicated in the spread of disinformation have refused to attend TriComm hearings, prompting the committee to consider escalating its legal actions. Adiong warned that the House could issue show-cause orders and even subpoenas to compel their attendance. Some influencers have gone so far as to file a petition before the Supreme Court to challenge the TriComm probe, a move that Gutierrez dismissed as an attempt to evade accountability. He emphasized that the House’s legislative investigations are well within its powers and that questioning their legality is baseless. The ongoing legal wrangling highlights the difficulties faced by legislative bodies in holding powerful online actors accountable for the spread of disinformation. The TriComm is determined to continue its investigation, scheduled to resume on Tuesday, and to pursue all available legal avenues to uncover the full extent of the alleged disinformation campaign and its impact on Philippine society. The investigation is expected to further probe the alleged financial links between the influencers and foreign entities, explore the methodologies employed in spreading the disinformation, and analyze the impact of these narratives on public opinion regarding the WPS dispute and domestic politics.