Senator JV Ejercito warned that Filipinos suspected of acting as paid online trolls to undermine the Philippine government or attack critics of China could face serious legal consequences, including possible liability for treason.
Ejercito said issues tied to sovereignty and national security—particularly narratives about the West Philippine Sea—should not be treated as ordinary political discourse, as they directly affect the country’s territorial integrity.
While dissent is part of democracy, he stressed that coordinated online campaigns that weaken the Philippines’ position or advance foreign interests cross a different line and deserve closer scrutiny.
Asked about social media attacks against Filipinos critical of Beijing, Ejercito said the accounts appear to be China-funded trolls. He noted that survey data shows most Filipinos are angered by China’s actions and view it as a major external threat, contradicting pro-Beijing messaging online.
He reiterated his commitment to defending Philippine maritime claims and opposing propaganda that erodes public support for sovereignty.
Concerns over foreign-backed trolling have surfaced before. Last year, Senator Francis Tolentino alleged that China’s embassy in Manila entered into a 2023 agreement with InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. to conduct online influence operations using fake accounts to promote pro-Beijing narratives and target lawmakers. InfinitUs has denied the allegations.
Despite tensions, Ejercito said diplomacy remains the country’s primary approach, stressing that asserting sovereignty does not mean advocating conflict. He added that economic ties with China do not override the need to respect international law, particularly UNCLOS, and clarified that his criticism is directed at Chinese government policies—not the Chinese people.
