A surge of fake accounts likely linked to Beijing also targeted Marcos Jr on X with allegations of corruption and drug addiction during the campaigning period.
The trolls buttressed news-and-culture outlet Ni Hao Manila.
The outlet has posted videos highlighting Beijing’s naval prowess and criticizing Philippine security cooperation with the US. Some of its posts were also shared by the InfinitUs fake accounts.
InfinitUs had reportedly purchased fake likes and follows from Facebook vendors for Ni Hao Manila, which has about 115,000 followers on YouTube and 300,000 on TikTok. The outlet’s TikTok channel exhibited inorganic behavior like videos with hundreds of likes but no comments.
Ni Hao Manila amplified content from at least one Filipino involved in managing APCU, the Communist Party-affiliated organization.
Several serving or former Philippine officials also received awards that APCU says came with cash ranging from between roughly $850 and $3,440.
They include Manuel Mamba, a provincial leader who has opposed some plans to host the US military; Regina Tecson, a key aide to Duterte’s daughter Sara; and Jaime T. Cruz and Carlos Chan, both former envoys to Beijing.
Other recipients announced by APCU include Banlaoi, the national security nominee, as well as writers Herman Tiu Laurel, Adolfo Paglinawan and Rod Kapunan.
All four were also identified as instruments for Chinese influence in a 2024 presentation about foreign interference created for internal use by a Philippine security agency.
Surveys indicate Filipino support for the US alliance remains strong but Beijing’s efforts were showing some signs of success.
Polls show the frontrunner for the 2028 presidential elections is Sara Duterte, who has criticized the term-limited Marcos Jr’s pro-American policies.
“Filipinos believe in social media. They can be swayed.”
2/n