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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House leaders want Makati firm that hired 'trolls' for Chinese Embassy probed

House leaders want Makati firm that hired 'trolls' for Chinese Embassy probed

Published Apr 25, 2025 09:02 am

At A Glance

  • House leaders on Friday, April 25, called for an investigation into a Makati City-based firm that allegedly entered into a contract with the Chinese government to promote its narrative and interest in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

alejandro-luengo-jL0tMFYOdBM-unsplash (1).jpg(Unsplash)

House leaders on Friday, April 25, called for an investigation into a Makati City-based firm that allegedly entered into a contract with the Chinese government to promote its narrative and interest in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Zambales 1st district Rep. Jefferson Khonghun said the Department of Justice (DOJ) must look into the alleged engagement between the Makati-based company and the Chinese government so that it may determine any violation to the country’s laws.

This came after National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya told the Senate that the Chinese Embassy in Manila supposedly contracted a local PR firm to help them influence results of the elections.

The firm allegedly contracted “keyboard warriors” or trolls to promote China’s narratives as well as oppose and smear the current administration.

"There are indications that information operations being done in the Philippines are Chinese state-sponsored and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections," Malaya said in the Senate hearing.

Khonghun believed there must be a violation in Philippine law for a Filipino company operating in the country to work against the national interest.

If there is, the concerned agencies should file charges against the company and its officers, Khonghun said.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre raised the possibility of seeking assistance from the diplomatic corps in preventing, if not totally stopping, Beijing's alleged interference in the Philippines.

Acidre says the Philippines may need the help of diplomatic channels because he does not believe "we can ever countenance such practice of hiring our own local companies and our own people to do damage against our very own interests".

"If China can do this to us, I think it would be an understatement that they can also do this to others," Acidre said.

Khonghun also called on Filipino-owned companies and other businesses in the Philippines to boycott firms that are involved in such practice.

“Filipino businessmen and entities making money in our country should not be enablers of Chinese false narratives," he said.

Related Tags

troll farm Jefferson Khonghun jude acidre
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