The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) may soon build a case against individuals linked to alleged Chinese interference in the upcoming Philippine elections through disinformation operations, an official of the National Security Council (NSC) said on Monday.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the NBI has been tasked to investigate after Senator Francis Tolentino presented evidence, including a contract and a check, allegedly linking the Chinese Embassy to information operations intended to influence the 12 May midterm polls.
Malaya previously warned of indications that “Chinese state-sponsored” information campaigns were being carried out by certain groups to interfere in the elections.
During a Senate hearing last week, Tolentino claimed the Chinese Embassy hired Makati-based InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. to provide “dedicated keyboard warriors” for crisis and issue management. He said the firm was involved in online campaigns critical of the Philippine government and promoting Chinese government policies.
Malaya described the evidence presented — including a P930,000 check dated 11 September 2023 allegedly issued by the Chinese Embassy to InfinitUs — as a “smoking gun.”
“That’s also the smoking gun, the check, because that check is issued in the name of InfinitUs in the account of the Chinese Embassy,” Malaya said, adding that the documents appeared legitimate based on Tolentino’s presentation.
“It is up to the NBI to do the necessary case buildup so that if they find any wrongdoing, the proper charges can be filed in court,” Malaya said.