Philippine Senator Accuses China of Funding Troll Farms to Sway Elections and Public Opinion

Allegations of foreign interference have taken center stage in the Philippines, as Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of funding a “troll farm” to undermine the Philippine government and influence public opinion. During a Senate committee hearing on maritime and admiralty zones on April 25, 2025, Tolentino claimed that a private company, InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc., was contracted by the embassy to spread pro-Beijing narratives and disinformation targeting Filipino lawmakers and citizens. The accusations, if substantiated, could have profound implications for national security, electoral integrity, and the ongoing territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

Details of the Alleged Contract

According to Tolentino, a “service agreement” signed in August 2023 between the Chinese Embassy and InfinitUs included provisions for “keyboard warriors” to manage issues and promote narratives favorable to Beijing. The senator alleged that the company was tasked with creating and operating hundreds of fake social media accounts—330 on Facebook and 30 on X (formerly Twitter)—to discredit the Philippine government and individuals critical of China’s actions in the disputed maritime region. One operation, reportedly run by a team of 11 including a leader, amassed over 53,000 “friends” who are real individuals, amplifying the reach of these fabricated profiles.

“This is not a simple contract” said Tolentino, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “This contract and payment mean the destruction of the dignity of the Filipino, the stomping on the dignity of the Philippines.” He urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate InfinitUs but refrained from sharing specific details or copies of the agreement, leaving questions about the full scope of the alleged operation.

Tolentino further suggested that many of these “keyboard warriors” could be Filipinos, raising concerns about citizens being unwittingly drawn into foreign influence campaigns. Ordinary Filipinos, he noted, often engage with posts from these accounts, unaware of their inauthentic nature. Among the topics manipulated by the alleged troll farm was the enactment of the Maritime Zones Law on November 8, 2024, which reaffirms the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea. Troll comments reportedly attacked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., invoking his father’s dictatorial legacy with phrases like “like father like son,” while others argued that China had a right to oppose the law due to its territorial stance.

Targets and Tactics of Disinformation

The senator highlighted specific targets of the alleged campaign, including Rep. Ace Barbers, a vocal critic of Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea. Tolentino described the troll farms as a dual-purpose operation: openly disseminating Chinese government policies while covertly sowing disinformation to undermine trust in Philippine institutions. A mock-up check for 930,000 Philippine Pesos (US$16,000) was presented during the hearing as evidence of payment from the Chinese Embassy to InfinitUs, though its authenticity remains unverified. “This is not normal public relations” said Tolentino. “The money that the Chinese Embassy paid was for something hidden and sinister. It was to finance a troll farm.”

Neither the Chinese Embassy nor InfinitUs has issued a detailed response to the allegations. In a brief statement to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, InfinitUs deferred comment, noting that it was “currently looking into the matter.” The lack of immediate rebuttal has fueled speculation, though no independent confirmation of the contract or payment has surfaced at the time of reporting.

Broader Implications for National Security

The accusations come amid heightened concerns over foreign interference in the Philippines, particularly with the midterm elections scheduled for May 2025. During the same hearing, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya warned of “Chinese state-sponsored” information operations aimed at influencing the polls. Responding to Tolentino’s questions about foreign meddling, Malaya pointed to social media narratives from Beijing being echoed by “local proxies” in the Philippines. “Whatever script comes from Beijing, that’s also what they’re saying here in the Philippines” he said, citing portrayals of the ongoing “Balikatan” military exercises with the United States as a threat to regional stability.

Malaya also suggested that China might be supporting specific candidates favorable to its interests, potentially through financial means. While he declined to name individuals, he told reporters after the hearing that the NSC had identified over 10 pro-China influencers, some based in the Philippines and others studying in China. “You don’t need a large number with a troll farm using AI, a few people can multiply their presence and influence public discourse” he added. If confirmed, such actions could undermine the democratic process in a country where public sentiment strongly favors asserting sovereignty against Chinese aggression, as evidenced by recent polls. A February 2025 Social Weather Stations survey found that 78% of Filipinos support candidates who defend Philippine claims in the West Philippine Sea, while a Pulse Asia poll from October 2024 indicated that 70% would reject candidates perceived as pro-China.

Cyberattacks and Electoral Integrity

The allegations of troll farms are compounded by reports of cyberattacks targeting Philippine institutions. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Garcia revealed on April 25, 2025, that the poll body had faced coordinated online attacks aimed at eroding public trust in the electoral process. Intelligence officials informed Comelec of “auto bots” and troll farms manipulating narratives to suggest that the commission and election results could not be trusted. “This is so dangerous and worrisome especially if indeed the perpetrator is a foreign entity” Garcia told reporters, hinting at suspicions of external involvement without specifying a culprit.

Garcia noted that criticisms of Comelec and the voting process garnered unusually high engagement—700,000 views and 32,000 comments in a short period—suggesting orchestrated amplification. “When you read the comments, they use the same wordings. So, this means that these come from a single source” he said. Additionally, the Comelec’s online precinct finder, which contains data on over 68 million registered voters, faced thousands of hacking attempts just a day after its rollout. While no direct manipulation of election systems has been detected, the scale of these cyber efforts raises alarms about the integrity of the upcoming polls.

Geopolitical Context and Public Sentiment

The allegations of Chinese interference must be viewed against the backdrop of longstanding tensions in the West Philippine Sea, a resource-rich area claimed by both nations. The Philippines has ramped up its diplomatic and military efforts to assert sovereignty, including through joint exercises like “Balikatan” with allies such as the United States. However, China’s expansive claims and aggressive actions—such as deploying vessels near Philippine waters—have fueled domestic frustration and shaped electoral priorities. The strong public support for anti-China candidates, as reflected in recent surveys, underscores the political sensitivity of the issue.

If Tolentino’s claims are substantiated, they could further strain Manila-Beijing relations, already frayed by maritime disputes. The involvement of Filipino citizens in alleged troll farms, whether knowingly or not, adds a layer of complexity, raising questions about economic vulnerabilities that might drive individuals to participate in such schemes. Moreover, the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to amplify disinformation highlights the evolving nature of cyber warfare and its potential to destabilize democratic processes.

Challenges in Verification and Response

While the accusations are serious, the lack of publicly available evidence—such as the full contract or verified payment records—means they remain speculative at this stage. Tolentino’s decision not to disclose further details during the hearing may be tied to ongoing investigations or national security concerns, but it also limits the ability to assess the claims’ credibility. Independent verification from primary sources, such as government records or statements from InfinitUs, will be crucial to determining the extent of any foreign influence operation.

The Philippine government faces a delicate balancing act in responding to these allegations. On one hand, robust action against disinformation and cyberattacks is necessary to protect electoral integrity and national sovereignty. On the other, escalating rhetoric without concrete evidence risks diplomatic fallout with China, a major economic partner. Collaborative efforts with international allies to counter cyber threats, alongside domestic measures to educate citizens about disinformation, could form part of a comprehensive strategy.

As the May 2025 midterm elections approach, the specter of foreign interference looms large over the Philippines. Whether these allegations mark a turning point in how the nation addresses digital threats or remain an unproven controversy, they underscore the fragility of trust in an era of information warfare. For now, Filipinos await further clarity on the forces shaping their political landscape—and the future of their country’s stance in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions.