Palace probing alleged Chinese propaganda in PH

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (PCO photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said it is monitoring reports that foreign entities may be attempting to influence Philippine public discourse, including alleged Chinese propaganda in local media.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro acknowledged concerns raised by the non-profit group SeaLight, which claimed that the Chinese Embassy is allegedly directing Chinese-language media in the Philippines to advance Beijing’s narrative.

“Matagal na pong nababalita na may ibang bansa na nakikialam sa ating politika. Pero ayon na rin po sa PCO [Presidential Communications Office], iginagalang po natin ang freedom of expression, ang freedom of speech, ngunit kinukondena natin ang anumang disinformation o fake news (It has long been reported that foreign countries interfere in our politics. But according the PCO, we respect freedom of expression and freedom of speech, yet we condemn any disinformation or fake news),” Castro said.

The Palace official said the PCO is coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) to verify reports of unlawful or manipulative activities.

She also called on the public to be discerning in consuming information.

“Muli, ang nais po natin ay transparency, masabi ang katotohanan at ito rin po ang ating magiging bilin sa ating mga kababayan –maging mapanuri, magkaisa po tayo. Ang dapat po nating ipaglaban at ingatan at proteksyunan ay ang interes ng ating bansa at hindi interes ng ibang bansa (Again, what we want is transparency, to tell the truth, and this is also the advice we give to our fellow citizens—to be discerning, united. What we must defend and protect are the interests of our country, not those of other countries),” she added.