Hontiveros urges Senate to probe China-backed socmed propaganda

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros is urging the Senate to further investigate social media propaganda allegedly financed by China.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines forum, Hontiveros criticized the Chinese embassy for its statements against some officials, saying they mirror what is seen in posts of some social media pages in the country.

She described the embassy’s statements as “grossly undiplomatic” and “disturbingly similar to paid media trolls.”

Hontiveros expressed concern that many Filipinos appear to mimic what China is saying, which she believes interferes with domestic affairs if proven true. She highlighted a growing number of social media pages relentlessly amplifying Chinese government propaganda designed to divide Filipinos.

The senator wants the Senate to continue its probe into this social media propaganda allegedly financed by a foreign country.

The Senate earlier started an inquiry and found that the Makati-based PR firm InfinitUs was reportedly hired by the Chinese Embassy for public relations work.

Hontiveros said it is time to expose the individuals behind this coordinated disinformation machinery, identify who is amplifying and circulating the Chinese government fabrications, and hold accountable those who betray the country.