Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday, May 6 called on the government to conduct a full-scale investigation against InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. (IMSI) which is allegedly involved in trolling activities favoring China.

Gatchalian made the call after the denials made by the public relations firm fell flat during the continuation of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones on Monday’s.

“I urge the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the National Security Council (NSC) to pursue a full-scale investigation into the reported involvement of a Makati-based PR firm in operating a China-backed troll farm,” Gatchalian said.

“If proven true, those involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including charges of treason and other serious criminal offenses, for betraying the country,” he added.

“Panagutin at kasuhan ang mga nagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan at kabaluktutan para sa pansariling interes at layuning sirain ang bansa (Hold accountable and prosecute those who spread lies and distortions for personal gain and the purpose of destroying the country),” he stressed.

During the hearing, Tolentino was able to issue more details about IMSI, about its troll farm operations funded by the Chinese embassy.

Tolentino was able to dispute the claim made by IMSI co-founder Paul Li (or Pin Li) who denied having any knowledge of the social media management operations contract between the PR firm and the Chinese embassy.

The senator, showing documents obtained by his committee, disclosed that the contract, which was written in Chinese, actually outlined the scope of work of the project “publicity guidance for the Chinese embassy.”

Tolentino said the amount in the document matches the P930,000 payment indicated on the check, which amounted to P930,000, that he earlier exposed.

The check was issued to IMSI on September 11, 2023.

Tolentino also rejected Li’s claim that the said check, which he himself acknowledged was authentic, was used to procure Covid paraphernalia for a June 2023 event for the Chinese embassy.

The senator said this was highly doubtful, noting that the pandemic had long been declared over during the said period.

The lawmaker also questioned the non-appearance of IMSI Filipino co-founder Myka Poynton, who could have personally attested to the signature bearing her name in the service contract that was also signed by the Chinese Embassy’s media and public relations director, Wu Chenqi.