The Chinese flag is pictured in front of the facade of the Chinese embassy in Berlin on April 22, 2024. John Macdougall, AFP/File  

MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday flagged “indications” of China’s possible interference with the Philippine elections in May. 

In a Senate hearing about submersible drones discovered in the country and possible espionage activities, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said, “There are indications that information operations are being conducted that are Chinese state sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections.”

Malaya was responding to a question of Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones chairperson and Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino.

“So ang ibig sabihin nito may mga ongoing operations ang China para suportahan yung mga kandidatong gusto nilang manalo? Yun ang diretsong tanong ko. At kontrahin naman yung mga kandidatong ayaw nilang manalo?” Tolentino asked.

(So this means China has ongoing operations to support candidates they want to win? And to oppose candidates they don't want to win?)

Malaya answered, “Yes, there are indications of that.”  

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“Itong mga ganitong pangyayari hindi ito naiintidihan kaagad ng sambayanan dahil ito’y nakahalo na sa social media. Hindi mo na alam kung alin dito yung totoo,” Tolentino, who has been trailing in pre-elections surveys, said.

(Our people may not be aware of these since these are spread on social media. You don't know what it true)

“That’s correct,” Malaya replied.

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Asked to identify indicators suggesting Chinese interference in the 2025 elections, Malaya said they observed that certain narratives from Beijing were being amplified by third party individuals or local proxies in the Philippines.

One example he cited was the ongoing Balikatan exercises.

“You will see narratives coming from Beijing that the Balikatan Exercises is a threat to regional peace and stability and you’ll also hear that kind of statement coming from local proxies who follow the script coming from Beijing,” Malaya said.

He added that the NSC has identified these local proxies.

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