Australian Federal Police Investigate Alleged Orchestrated Disinformation Campaign

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched an investigation into what it describes as a “deliberate and orchestrated disinformation campaign” targeting the military and designed to erode public trust in the institution.

The investigation comes amid renewed allegations about P15-billion ghost projects allegedly within the military’s purview, claims the AFP has categorically rejected.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla revealed that military intelligence is examining a series of coordinated activities, including strategic press conferences, synchronized social media posts, and amplified online content that appear to follow a deliberate pattern.

“It appears to be part of a sophisticated and multi-layered disinformation campaign. You can see the unfolding events. They are deliberate. The pattern is synchronized,” Padilla explained.

She specifically cited recent developments that raised red flags for military analysts, including a press conference conducted by prominent political figure Chavit Singson and social media posts by Colonel Audie Mongao. According to Padilla, these seemingly disparate events appear connected when viewed as part of a larger pattern.

“The narratives, even in social media, involving such issues seem to indicate that these are not isolated incidents,” she said. “We have to look at the timing, the content, and the amplification of issues that come out in social media.”

The military’s preliminary assessment suggests these actions may be designed to create a “crisis narrative” against the AFP and the broader security sector. Defense analysts note this comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the apparent goal of stirring public discontent ahead of a planned mass rally in the National Capital Region scheduled for February 25—a historically significant date in the Philippines marking the anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

“This pattern of distorted claims, emotional appeals, and repeated misinformation is meant not only to weaken confidence in our armed forces, but to also create instability,” Padilla stated.

The AFP is currently working to identify the sources behind these narratives, examining how they are being disseminated, and investigating whether external actors might be supporting or directing the campaign. Such concerns about external influence operations have grown across Southeast Asia in recent years, as regional tensions and great power competition have intensified.

Regarding the specific allegation about P15 billion in ghost projects, the AFP clarified that the figure apparently references the TIKAS Program, which is exclusively implemented and managed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), not the military.

The AFP also strongly refuted allegations that its chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., violated the Philippine Military Academy Honor Code. “No complaint, investigation, or finding exists to support this accusation. It is a fabricated narrative intended to malign the reputation of a senior military officer,” the AFP stated in an official release.

Despite these challenges, Padilla assured the public that the AFP remains focused on its mandate to protect the Philippines and its citizens. “We remain solid, professional, disciplined, and united in one purpose. We won’t be carried away by the noise, and we are steadfast with our mandate,” she emphasized.

The military has urged citizens to exercise critical thinking when consuming media and to rely on verified information from credible sources rather than potentially misleading social media narratives.

This incident highlights the growing concern about disinformation campaigns in the Philippines, which has one of the highest social media usage rates globally. Security experts have long warned that the country’s digital landscape makes it particularly vulnerable to coordinated influence operations, whether from domestic political factions or foreign entities seeking to destabilize the nation’s democratic institutions.

The AFP has pledged to continue addressing legitimate concerns through proper legal and institutional channels while maintaining its operational readiness and institutional integrity.