Disinformation campaigns manipulate tensions between Philippines and China
- The Philippines has seen a rise in militaristic rhetoric online since 2022, following the election of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
- A network of social media accounts has been identified that promotes disinformation on defense matters and the South China Sea dispute.
- Such campaigns pose serious implications for public perception and could exacerbate fears of confrontation in the region.
Since early 2022, after Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president of the Philippines, tensions have escalated between the Philippines and China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. In this climate, several disinformation networks on social media have emerged, exploiting these tensions for profit by disseminating exaggerated and misleading claims about military preparedness and imminent conflict. Analysts identified a network of Facebook and YouTube channels that direct users to a fake news site, which produces groundless claims in high volume, likely for advertising revenue. This manipulation of information mirrors China's position concerning territorial disputes and creates an atmosphere of fear regarding potential military confrontations in the region, prompting various responses from the public, including heightened anxiety about the possibilities of war.