SENATE Majority Floor Leader Francis Tolentino on Thursday revealed that the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines allegedly hired a local company to operate a troll farm aimed at spreading disinformation and undermining the Philippine government.
During a Senate hearing, Tolentino presented a copy of a service agreement between the Chinese Embassy and InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc., a Makati-based firm.
The contract identified Wu Chenqi, the embassy’s director for media and public relations, as the official representative.
According to the document, InfinitUs was tasked with managing the embassy’s social media presence and “pre-crisis management,” using a team of “dedicated keyboard warriors.”
Tolentino emphasized that this went beyond standard public relations, calling it a covert campaign to spread Chinese propaganda and manipulate public opinion.
The troll farm reportedly promoted anti-U.S. sentiments, including disinformation against the Typhon missile system, and criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by referencing his family’s history. Tolentino added that over 300 fake Facebook and X accounts were created for this purpose.
A check dated September 11, 2023, amounting to P930,000, was also shown as payment for the operation.
Tolentino condemned the scheme, calling it a threat to Philippine sovereignty and an act of foreign interference.
