NSC to probe possible Chinese interference in Phl polls

The National Security Council (NSC) is pushing for an investigation into possible Chinese interference in the country’s upcoming midterm elections.

In an ambush interview, NSC spokesperson and Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said it had tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after Senator Francis Tolentino disclosed alleged “hidden and sinister” operations of China against the Philippines using a troll farm during a Senate hearing on Thursday.

Citing details and evidence provided by the senator, Malaya lamented that a group of social media warriors, commonly known as troll farms, were being contracted to operate online.

“Now, anong yung ginawa ng troll farm na 'yon? Nilathala dun 'yon ni Senator Tolentino sa kaniyang report, sa kaniyang pasabog kanina sa Senado, so maliwanag na maliwanag na may ebidensya si Senator Tolentino sa sinasabi niya, so 'yun yung context niya sa sinabi that merong indikasyon na merong influence operations ang China sa Pilipinas na posibleng related sa eleksyon,” Malaya told reporters.

He said the government is “very alarmed” and plans to investigate the agreement between Infinitus Marketing Solutions and the Chinese government.

“We do not have presumption as to the guilt but we will go where the evidence leads us and the evidence is strong,” Malaya said.

He stressed the need to determine whether the goal was to influence or meddle in Philippine politics.

“There is also a clear intention to interfere in Philippine politics. So we will work closely with the NBI for a case buildup because they have Filipino cohorts,” Malaya said.

“So those Philippine nationals should be made to account if they are guilty based on investigation,” he added.