Filipino PR firm linked to China-funded troll campaign may face treason charges
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino revealed on Monday that Filipino executives of InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc., a Makati-based PR firm allegedly contracted by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, may be held liable for treason.
The company is accused of orchestrating a China-funded social media campaign targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other public officials with disinformation and pro-China narratives.
During the continuation of the Senate committee hearing on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones, Tolentino presented new evidence linking the Chinese Embassy to the operations of a “troll army.”
He showed a Bank of China check dated September 2023 for P930,000 paid to InfinitUs, allegedly for a service agreement to deploy “keyboard warriors” who spread misinformation on social media platforms, benefiting China’s interests.
Tolentino described the contract as a serious affront to Filipino dignity, stating that the troll farm’s activities included attacking lawmakers supporting the Philippines’ West Philippine Sea claims and running a hate campaign against President Marcos Jr., including comparing him to his late dictator father.
The Senate committee also uncovered that InfinitUs managed at least 330 Facebook and Twitter accounts with over 53,000 friends and followers, many operated by Filipinos posing as fake profiles.
InfinitUs cofounder and CEO Paul Li denied the allegations, asserting that the firm only provided public relations and event management services to the Chinese Embassy and categorically denied engaging in trolling or spreading disinformation.
He insisted the company operates ethically and professionally, rejecting claims that they were involved in unlawful activities or election interference.
