Chinese Propaganda Allegations in Local Media Under Palace Investigation

In a move to address potential foreign interference in media operations, the Philippine government is investigating alleged Chinese disinformation activities while maintaining its stance on press freedom, officials confirmed Monday.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro announced that the administration is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to probe claims of foreign-backed propaganda campaigns in the country.

The investigation comes after SeaLight, a non-profit organization monitoring media activities in Southeast Asia, alleged that the Chinese Embassy in Manila has been influencing Chinese-language media outlets in the Philippines to disseminate propaganda favorable to Beijing’s interests.

“We are coordinating with relevant agencies to determine whether there are inauthentic behaviors or activities that violate existing rules and regulations,” Castro said during a press briefing at Malacañang Palace. She acknowledged that reports of foreign interference in Philippine politics have circulated for some time but emphasized that the government remains committed to upholding constitutional freedoms.

“We continue to uphold freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” Castro stated. “At the same time, we condemn any form of disinformation or fake news.”

The allegations come at a sensitive time in Philippines-China relations, with ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea and increasing economic ties between the two nations. China has emerged as one of the Philippines’ largest trading partners and investors in recent years, despite maritime tensions.

Media experts have long expressed concern about the growing influence of foreign entities in Philippine information ecosystems. The country’s strategic position in Southeast Asia makes it a focal point for competing narratives, particularly as geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific region.

Dr. Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Rappler, has repeatedly warned about the vulnerability of Philippine media to external influence operations. “Information warfare is now a critical battlefield in modern geopolitics,” Ressa noted in a recent forum on press freedom in Southeast Asia.

The PCO underscored that transparency and truth remain government priorities amidst these challenges. Castro urged the public to practice media literacy and critical thinking when consuming news and information.

“Our call to our fellow Filipinos is to be discerning and to stand united,” she emphasized. “What we must defend, protect, and safeguard is the interest of our country, not the interest of other nations.”

The investigation reflects growing concerns across Southeast Asia about foreign information operations. Similar probes have been launched in neighboring countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, where Chinese-language media and social media platforms have expanded their reach significantly over the past decade.

Media watchdogs in the region have documented increasing sophistication in propaganda techniques, including the use of local voices to lend credibility to foreign narratives and the targeting of specific demographic groups through specialized content.

The National Security Council is expected to release a comprehensive assessment of foreign influence operations in Philippine media within the coming months, according to security analysts familiar with the matter.

As the investigation proceeds, the administration faces the delicate task of addressing potential foreign interference while preserving the robust media environment that has been a hallmark of Philippine democracy since the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.

The government has not yet disclosed specific Chinese-language outlets under investigation or detailed the nature of the alleged propaganda being disseminated.