CHINA has denied claims that it is interfering with the upcoming 2025 national and local elections (NLE) in the Philippines.
In a press conference on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun maintained that China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs.
“We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections,” Guo said.
In a Senate hearing earlier, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said there are indications that China is interfering with the country’s upcoming polls.
Malaya answered in the affirmative when asked if there were efforts from China to support candidates who are on their side and to target those against them.
“There are indications, Mister Chairman, that information operations are being conducted and that Chinese state-sponsored in the Philippines are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections,” Malaya said.
He said they have already identified candidates supported by the Chinese government.
Malaya said China has “local proxies” in the Philippines who amplify their statements.
“Kung ano ‘yung script na nanggagaling sa Beijing, ‘yun din naman ang sinasabi nila sa Pilipinas. We can see that Mister Chairman, for example, the Balikatan Exercises are happening right now, 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,” said Malaya.
(Whatever script comes from Beijing is also what they’re saying in the Philippines. We can see that, Mister Chairman 00 for example, the Balikatan Exercises are happening right now, and you’ll see narratives coming from Beijing claiming that the Balikatan Exercises are a threat to regional peace and stability. And you’ll also hear the same kind of statements from local proxies who are following the script coming from Beijing.)
Senator Francis Tolentino said the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines also signed a contract with Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc. for the organization of “keyboard warriors,” who will be part of a troll farm that will openly provide information and convey the policies of the Chinese government. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)