A National Security Council (NSC) official disclosed on Thursday, April 24, that there are indications of alleged Chinese state-sponsored information operations in the Philippines, aimed at interfering with the country’s upcoming May 2025 midterm elections.

"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," NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said during the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones hearing.

At the hearing, Senator Francis Tolentino asked Malaya if the agency had observed indicators suggesting foreign interference, particularly targeting "pro-sovereignty" candidates or anti-China positions.

Malaya stated that there are also indicators of ongoing operations of China to support candidates they'd want to win.

"Itong mga ganitong pangyayari 'di to naiintindihan kaagad ng sambayanan dahil ito'y nakahalo na sa social media, di mo na alam alin dito yung totoo (Events like these aren’t immediately understood by the public because they’re already mixed into social media—you can’t tell anymore which ones are true), is that correct?" Tolentino asked.

Malaya answered in the affirmative.

"Ang nakikita po kasi namin Mr. Chairman is that there are many narratives na lumalabas, for example, from Beijing that are being amplified by third party individuals, mga proxy nila. Based here in the Philippines (What we're seeing, Mr. Chairman, is that there are many narratives coming out from Beijing that third-party individuals are amplifying, their proxies based here in the Philippines)," Malaya said.

He said that these narratives often emerge during sensitive political periods, such as election survey phases. He noted that these talking points are closely aligned with official Chinese messaging.

"Kung ano yung script na nanggagaling sa Beijing, yun din naman ang sinasabi nila dito sa Pilipinas (Whatever script comes from Beijing, that's also what they're saying here in the Philippines)," he said.

He cited the ongoing Balikatan joint military exercises as an example, where the so-called local proxies echo Beijing’s stance that the drills threaten regional peace and stability.

The NSC has also identified certain candidates allegedly being targeted in disinformation campaigns.

"Identified na rin namin yung mga kandidato. Sinisiraan nila... Senator Tolentino isa sa mga sinisiraan because of his position on the Maritime Zones Law (We’ve identified the candidates. They’re being targeted... Senator Tolentino is one of them, being attacked because of his position on the Maritime Zones Law)," he said.

He also raised concerns about Filipino influencers allegedly acting in the interest of the People’s Republic of China.

"Mostly influencers, some of them are here, some of them are based in China, nagaaral doon, they are on a scholarship there in China so fully-paid by the Chinese state, but they continue to operate," he said.

"Pinoy, yes, they are Filipino citizens, but they are doing this at the behest of the PRC," he added.

He estimated the number of active influencers amplifying pro-China narratives to be over ten, many of whom are prominent online.

While the total number of local proxies may not be large, Malaya warned of their impact through coordinated online tactics.

"You don’t have to be many kung may troll farm ka through a troll system utilizing artificial intelligence you can multiply yourself and be able to influence a public discourse (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.