Three weeks before the Philippine midterms, concerns about Chinese influence in Philippine elections are heating up. What was once whispered about is now backed by growing evidence.
Disinformation Campaigns Already Inside Our Borders
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino recently pulled back the curtain on a troubling operation. InfinitUs, a PR firm based in Makati, was allegedly working for the Chinese Embassy, running over 330 fake Facebook and X accounts. These “keyboard warriors” weren’t just shouting into the void. They flooded feeds with posts cheering for China and bashing Filipino leaders who dared to defend the West Philippine Sea.
Not surprisingly, InfinitUs’ website and social pages disappeared quickly after this came to light. Their sudden vanishing act says plenty.
In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for an investigation into any foreign meddling before the elections. Protecting the ballot box has never felt more urgent. Allowing outside powers to poison public debate now would be a disaster for democracy.
Fake accounts often operate by mimicking real users. They post extreme opinions, stir up arguments, and flood trending topics to drown out genuine voices. Filipinos online should stay alert—check sources, verify claims, and be wary of accounts that seem too eager to divide.
Cyber Drills and Real-World Lessons
As digital threats pile up, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) isn’t standing still. Filipino and U.S. forces kicked off CYDEX, a new cyber defense exercise under this year’s Balikatan drills. The training, running from April 21 to May 9, brings together not just Filipino and American troops, but observers from Japan, Canada, Colombia, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
These cyber exercises come just weeks after the Philippines and the U.S. launched their largest-ever joint military drills under Balikatan 2025. Over 16,000 troops are participating, with activities spanning land, air, sea, and now cyberspace. The timing reflects a clear shift: defense today demands readiness on every front, both physical and digital.
The focus is simple: boost cyber defenses before the threats get out of hand. In today’s battlefield, attacks aren’t just launched from ships or tanks. They come through screens, aiming at minds and institutions.
China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea have already made it clear they won’t respect Philippine sovereignty when it suits them. Now, with troll farms and online propaganda stirring up division, they’re hitting where it hurts—trust in our own system.
Fortunately, the AFP is taking these new battles seriously. Through tough training and stronger alliances with partners like Japan, the U.S. and Canada, they’re making sure the Philippines can defend itself in every arena.
Cyberattacks, disinformation, and fake narratives are weapons in today’s conflicts. But so are vigilance, unity, and truth. As the elections approach, Filipinos must remember that defending democracy isn’t just the job of soldiers—it’s everyone’s responsibility.
This May, it’s not just about who wins a seat. It’s about standing guard against Chinese influence in Philippine elections and protecting the democracy that generations fought hard to build.
