Senate leader alleges Chinese Embassy used firm to spread fake news

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino alleged on Thursday that the Chinese Embassy in Manila contracted a Makati-based marketing firm to spread pro-Beijing narratives and fake news against Philippine government officials.

Tolentino presented PHP930,000 worth of documents showing a contract between the Chinese Embassy's Media and Public Relations Director Wu Chenqi and Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc., along with details of monthly reports submitted by Infinitus to the embassy.

Infinitus was reportedly tasked to manage over 300 fake social media accounts that have amassed a network of approximately 50,000 followers and friends, posting scripted messages praising China and targeting personalities like Rep. Ace Barbers.

The Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones' public inquiry revealed Infinitus would serve as 'the authorized agency to handle their Social Media issue and pre-crisis management,' with dedicated keyboard warriors playing a vital role in disinformation campaigns against the Philippine government.

Tolentino disclosed that the same troll operations were used to attack President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., particularly after the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones Law in November 2024, citing the recent discovery of a submersible drone off the coast of Barangay Inawaran, San Pascual, Masbate as evidence of China's intelligence-gathering efforts.

The campaign allegedly promoted narratives that called Marcos a puppet of the US and criticized his administration for foreign debt and the new maritime laws, while also defending China's actions in Philippine waters.