Senators are seeking a deeper investigation into possible Chinese involvement in shaping domestic political perception through the internet, threatening at the same time Filipino accomplices of possible charges of espionage, treason and other crimes.
At the center of the probe is a Makati-based public relations firm, InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, Inc. (IMSI), that allegedly operate a China-funded troll farm.
IMSI CEO Paul Li, however, dismissed the allegations during an appearance at a Senate inquiry on May 5.
“I categorically deny the allegation that InfinitUs is engaged in unlawful activities, including the spread of disinformation and misinformation to influence the (May 12) elections,” Li told the Senate.
“I’m just a regular businessman and not connected to politics in any way,” he stressed, adding his company’s engagement with the Chinese Embassy was limited to public relations (PR) and events management services.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, who first raised the alleged ties of the Filipino PR outfit with the Chinese government last April 24, was not satisfied with Li’s denial.
The senator presented during the May 5 hearing certain documents showing IMSI regularly submitted monthly reports of its activities to Beijing’s diplomatic post. Last April 24, the senator showed a check from the Chinese Embassy amounting to PHP930,000 paid to IMSI.
The IMSI executive authenticated the check but claimed it was payment for event hosting at the Chinese Embassy on June 2023.
The Chinese Embassy has yet to issue a statement on the senator’s allegations.
Sen. Tolentino, a lawyer, said this could be an offense that may fall under treason as defined in the Revised Penal Code. He also said that Li and the other foreign officials of the company could be charged with espionage and other criminal cases.
Information from the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated that IMSI has Filipino and Chinese incorporators. The Filipinos are Myka Isabel Basco, Ruby Benig Gestiada and Li’s wife, Christine Bergantinos Li, while the Chinese incorporator was identified as Min Li.
Travel records presented during the hearing showed multiple visits to China by IMSI officials which Li insisted were personal.
“(They are) collaborating with a foreign government to put down our system (of government),” Sen. Tolentino remarked.
Sherwin Gatchalian, a senator of Chinese descent, for his part said the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice and the National Security Council must pursue a full-scale probe into the reported activities of IMSI.
“If (the allegations are) proven true, those involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including charges of treason and other serious criminal offenses,” Gatchalian said.
Sen. Tolentino alleged that the payments made by the Chinese Embassy included the task of criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and some of his officials who have been against China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea.
According to the senator, IMSI was also paid to “help change the overall negative perception of Filipinos about the Chinese (people) and China.” There was also a mission to brainwash Filipinos into believing that Chinese culture “is so much ingrained in our own culture that without it, we will not have the Filipino identity.”
Another document presented by Sen. Tolentino during the hearing purportedly required IMSI to “conduct public opinion guidance on social media.” The document used Chinese characters.
The Senator further alleged that troll operations remain active, citing a recruitment notice posted at IMSI’s Makati office seeking TikTok users with at least 200 followers. Li confirmed the notice was genuine.
