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China’s Silent Invasion : A Battle for the Philippines’ Hearts, Minds, and Sovereignty

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Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

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China’s Silent Invasion : A Battle for the Philippines’ Hearts, Minds, and Sovereignty

By Louis ‘Barok’ C Biraogo –  September 15, 2024

Are Filipino influencers unknowingly fighting a digital war for China?  From the battlefields of Rome to the complex algorithms of today’s social media, the art of warfare and influence has evolved dramatically. While physical dominance once determined empires, today, wars are often fought in the digital space, where narratives are weaponized, and perceptions are sculpted with precision. A recent report from AidData uncovers a strategy by China to harness Filipino influencers and troll farms to shape a favorable image of Beijing. This story isn’t just about social media manipulation; it’s about the larger evolution of warfare and the subtle, yet strategic, battle for minds in the Philippines.

From Roman Roads to Digital Troll Farms: The Evolution of Influence

The Romans perfected the concept of dominance through infrastructure, building roads and aqueducts that symbolized power and progress. But as history progressed, military might gave way to softer forms of influence. In the Cold War, it was the media, proxy wars, and economic aid that shaped global narratives. Today, the battleground is online, and digital manipulation is a central tool in shaping public opinion. China’s strategy in the Philippines shows just how advanced and covert this kind of warfare has become.

China’s Weapon of Choice:  Filipino Influencers in the Digital Age

According to AidData’s research, China is employing a dual approach in its campaign to reshape its image in the Philippines. First, they have enlisted Filipino influencers, paying them to broadcast pro-China messages. Secondly, they’ve activated troll farms—mass networks of fake accounts—to amplify these messages and drown out dissent. It’s a strategy that, in theory, might seem feasible, but in practice, has floundered. The question remains: Why isn’t it working?

To dissect the effectiveness of China’s approach, we need to analyze it through several key lenses:

  1. Feasibility: While the infrastructure to mobilize troll farms and influencers is present, its impact is minimal. Despite the reach of social media, China’s messaging struggles to resonate with a Filipino audience skeptical of Beijing’s intentions, particularly regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
  2. Acceptability: Public sentiment in the Philippines is overwhelmingly against China, with 75% of Filipinos identifying Beijing as the country’s greatest threat. This widespread mistrust makes China’s narrative difficult to accept, regardless of how polished or pervasive the messaging may be.
  3. Suitability: Using influencers and troll farms may work in countries with less media scrutiny or digital literacy, but in the Philippines, where anti-China sentiment is deeply ingrained, the strategy feels tone-deaf. The Filipino public’s distrust of China and its aggressive territorial claims undercuts the appeal of these pro-Beijing narratives.
  4. Results: Despite China’s efforts, the results have been underwhelming. YouTube videos promoting China’s image reach a meager 20,000 views, and pro-China narratives fail to gain traction. The backlash to efforts like the “Iisang Dagat” video highlights how these initiatives often do more harm than good for Beijing’s image.
  5. Flexibility: China’s digital strategy in the Philippines lacks the agility to adapt to a changing environment. With strong public sentiment against China and a media landscape quick to report maritime disputes, the rigidity of their approach shows its limits. There is little evidence of China successfully altering its tactics when initial strategies fail.
  6. Innovation: While the use of troll farms and influencers is not new, the attempt to coordinate both in tandem shows a level of sophistication. However, innovation alone doesn’t ensure success—especially when the local audience sees through the tactics.
  7. Sustainability: Troll farms and influencer campaigns require sustained investment and effort. Given the failure of these strategies to yield results, China may find it challenging to justify continuing such operations in the Philippines long-term.
  8. Alignment with Values: China’s approach clashes with the democratic values of the Philippines, particularly regarding free speech and transparency. The narrative of silencing dissent and promoting state-controlled propaganda doesn’t align with the principles of an open society, and this disconnect is palpable to the public.
  9. Communication: Beijing’s efforts to communicate through local influencers have been met with resistance, partly because the messages don’t resonate with the lived experiences of Filipinos. The problem isn’t just the message—it’s the messenger. Filipino influencers, perceived as paid mouthpieces, lack authenticity, and the public’s response reflects that.
  10. Learning: One advantage China holds is its ability to learn from failures. AidData’s report suggests that Beijing is adapting and refining its strategies. The question remains: Will future attempts succeed where current ones have failed? Only time will tell if China can recalibrate its tactics effectively.

The Battle for Narratives:  The Philippines’ Response to China’s Influence Campaign

The Philippines, aware of these digital incursions, has responded with its own countermeasures. The Marcos administration’s transparency initiative, launched in 2023, has been a critical response to China’s media manipulation. By documenting and publicly sharing China’s aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea, the administration has effectively undermined Beijing’s narrative, showing the power of truth in combating disinformation.

Additionally, the Filipino media has remained a staunch defender of national sovereignty. Local outlets continue to report on Chinese aggression, ensuring that pro-China narratives are counterbalanced with facts. In a digital age where disinformation spreads like wildfire, this kind of journalistic integrity acts as a crucial firewall.

But these countermeasures, while effective, are not foolproof. As China continues to adapt, the Philippines must remain vigilant. It’s not enough to simply react to disinformation; the country must anticipate it.

The Digital Shield:  Recommendations for Defending the Philippine Narrative

To truly safeguard its national interests, the Philippines should take several key steps:

  1. Invest in Media Literacy: Equip Filipinos with the tools to critically evaluate the information they consume. In a world saturated with disinformation, a well-informed public is the best defense.
  2. Strengthen Cybersecurity: Troll farms and digital disinformation campaigns are sophisticated and often go undetected for long periods. The Philippines must bolster its cybersecurity capabilities to identify and neutralize these threats early.
  3. Promote Transparency: The Marcos administration’s transparency initiative is a step in the right direction. This strategy should be expanded, ensuring that government actions and responses to foreign influence are clear, documented, and accessible to the public.
  4. Support Independent Journalism: Media outlets in the Philippines, many of which are financially struggling, need support. Strengthening independent journalism will ensure that the public has access to unbiased and fact-based reporting, countering the narrative being pushed by China’s paid influencers and troll farms.
  5. Build Alliances: Finally, the Philippines should continue to forge alliances with other nations similarly impacted by China’s influence campaigns. By sharing information and strategies, these countries can collectively defend against the digital tactics Beijing employs.

Conclusion: A Battle of Minds and Messages

The battle for influence in the Philippines is just one front in a much larger geopolitical conflict. As China refines its digital warfare strategies, nations like the Philippines must also evolve their defenses. The tactics of ancient Rome may be long gone, but the principle remains the same: control the narrative, and you control the future. In this digital age, the stakes have never been higher. The Philippines, with its deep-rooted democracy and vibrant media landscape, must remain ever-vigilant in the fight for truth.

Louis ‘Barok‘ C. Biraogo

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