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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'It's in their DNA': Teodoro warns vs Chinese meddling in upcoming polls

'It's in their DNA': Teodoro warns vs Chinese meddling in upcoming polls

Published May 9, 2025 01:09 pm


Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused Friday, May 9, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its “non-state rogue actors” of meddling in the upcoming midterm elections.

The defense chief cited several Chinese tagged in alleged spying that law enforcement agents arrested in the past months. Some of those nabbed were using international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers, a surveillance device used to intercept mobile phone communications and monitor the location of mobile phone users. 

“Ang China talagang may interest na pakialaman ang eleksyon dito dahil obvious na obvious ‘yan at nakikialam naman talaga ‘yang mga ‘yan kasi nasa DNA nila ‘yan (China really has interest in meddling in our elections and it's so obvious, and they really are meddling because it's in their DNA)," he said during the closing of Balikatan Exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

“’Yang China, 1949 ipinanganak ‘yan sa rebolusyonaryong  pamamaraan at isang mission statement ni Mao Tse Tung is to spread revolution worldwide (China was born in 1949 in a revolutionary way and one mission statement of Mao Tse Tung is to spread revolution worldwide),” he added.

Chinese Communist leader Mao declared the creation of the PRC on Oct. 1, 1949, according to historical records. 


Last month, National Security Council (NSC) Asst. Director General Jonathan Malaya said there were indications that the PRC was conducting information operations through state-sponsored agents to interfere in the May 12 elections. 


He said pro-Beijing narratives were being disseminated and amplified by third-party individuals to influence people’s opinions.

The Chinese foreign ministry has denied this as it insisted that their government has “no interest” in meddling with the Philippine elections.

Teodoro said that the PRC has created a United Front Works (UFW) division in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to build alliances and influence networks, both domestically and internationally, to advance the party's goals.

He said the CCP is conducting “ICAD” or “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive” activities to influence other nations.

The latest ICAD activity was recorded last May 5 when three Chinese navy and coast guard vessels harassed a Philippine Navy (PN) warship, BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), while the latter was conducting a routine maritime patrol operation approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The incident almost resulted into a collision and Teodoro considered the act as an escalation of tension as the Chinese navy and coast guard have now resorted to harassing Philippine warships, aside from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and civilian vessels. 

“I'm not alarmed and I'm not surprised. Sinasabi ko na matagal na, pakikibaka ito (I have been saying this before, this is a struggle). We have to expect those things to happen,” Teodoro said. “There is a price to pay for freedom.”

Related Tags

DND Gilberto Teodoro Jr. May 12 elections midterm elections PH-China ICAD
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