DAGUPAN CITY — Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates on Friday warned that China seeks to control the Philippine Congress in the May midterm elections through pro-Beijing candidates and urged Filipinos to reject foreign interference by choosing leaders who will defend the nation’s sovereignty.

At a press conference Friday, senatorial frontrunner ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo said foreign interference is real and coordinated, aiming to install a legislature that would follow Beijing’s agenda and weaken Philippine sovereignty.

“Obviously, ang lumalabas, parang gusto ng China ay Chinese-controlled Senate, Chinese-controlled House of Representatives,” Tulfo said.

“Kaya nasa kamay po ng tao, ng Pilipino, ng mga botante natin. If you want a Chinese-controlled Senate and House of Representatives, then alam niyo na ho what’s going to happen,” he warned.

Tulfo said the Chinese campaign goes beyond disinformation and includes espionage, surveillance, and psychological operations.

While the Philippines is focused on Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), he said the real danger is unfolding within the country’s own institutions.

“It’s part of their campaign to keep our attention on the [WPS], pero hindi natin napapansin na may ibang operasyon na pala silang ginagawa. Lucky enough, lumutang itong espionage na ito. So talagang halatang-halata that they really want to control this country,” Tulfo said.

Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos assured the public that the 11-member Alyansa Senate slate stands united in defending the country’s sovereignty.

“Malinaw sa lahat na ang team ng Alyansa ay pro-Philippines. Importante ang sovereignty—ang soberenya ng Pilipinas,” Abalos said.

“Kaya nga importante sa mga nakikinig ngayon, pakinggan niyo maigi ang plataporma ng Alyansa. Lahat po ito ay pro-Philippines,” he added.

During the press conference, Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino revealed documents linking the Chinese Embassy to covert political operations, including the hiring of troll farms through the Makati-based firm InfinitUs Marketing Solutions.

He cited intelligence showing orders from Beijing being funneled through the embassy and amplified online by fake Filipino profiles.

“Hindi lang sa atin, dito sa bansa natin, kundi nagmumula sa China ‘yong kumpas kung ano ‘yong gagawin,” Tolentino said.

“Ito po ‘yong kontrata ng isang kumpanya, InfinitUs. Tinake-down (take down) na raw ‘yung Facebook kaninang umaga o kagabi. Hindi pa sila nagre-reply. Hindi pa rin nagre-reply ang China,” he pointed out.

He called on Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo to summon the Chinese Ambassador over what he called “a clear transgression of our sovereignty.”

“Isang karumal-dumal at nakakahindik na pagyapak sa ating kalayaan,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino also presented a check allegedly issued by the Chinese Embassy in Manila to InfinitUs, saying, “Ano pa bang pruweba ang gusto natin?”

Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who once headed the Philippine National Police, warned that the scale of the interference was deeper than many realize.

He cited reports of Chinese nationals caught conducting surveillance around Malacañang, Camp Aguinaldo, and other critical facilities.

“Yes, it’s actually scarier than we think,” Lacson said.

He added: “Let’s look beyond this election. May nahuli ‘yung NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines na several Chinese and Filipinos na nag-iikot sa Malacañang, Camp Aguinaldo, U.S. Embassy, and other installations. Nahulihan ng mga equipment.”

Lacson also cited cyberattacks on several government agencies, including the Office of the President and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

“So napaka-vulnerable. Imagine NSC (National Security Council), NICA, DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), DOST (Department of Science and Technology), naha-hack. And we don’t know, only God knows ano pa bang information na sensitive na top secret information na nandoon na sa kanila,” he said.

He urged the government to reinforce cybersecurity systems and consider enlisting experts from the private sector.

“Kailangan ‘yung firewall natin medyo tingnan nating mabuti,” he said.

The Alyansa ticket also includes Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco