Palace orders probe into China’s alleged interference in midterm polls

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed alarm over the National Security Council (NSC) revelation that there are indicators that China is interfering in the May 12 elections. (Pexels Photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Friday ordered the immediate and deeper investigation into China’s alleged interference with the Philippines’ midterm elections.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro expressed alarm over the National Security Council (NSC) revelation that there are indicators that China is interfering in the May 12 elections.

Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is already aware of the supposed foreign interference.

“Ito po ay talagang nakakaalarma (This is truly alarming),” Castro said.

“Nakarating na po ito sa Pangulo. Kaya po kailangan po talaga ng maagaran, mas malalim na pag-iimbestiga (It has already reached the President. So, there really needs to be an immediate, more in-depth investigation),” she added.

Castro said the Palace will reach out to the NSC to know more about China’s alleged intention to meddle in Philippine politics.

“Sa ngayon po, ang sinabi po sa atin ay pag-iimbestigahan pa po muna para malaman natin kung ano pa po ang mga detalye dito at kung ano po ang napapaloob sa mga ganitong klaseng pangyayari (For now, what we have been told is that it will be investigated further so that we can know more about the details and what is involved in these types of incidents),” Castro said.

During a Senate Special Committee hearing on maritime security on Thursday, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said “Chinese state-sponsored actors in the Philippines are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections.

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