~ Linn Maung ~
In an era where influence is measured not just by military might but by digital reach, the recent revelations about China’s covert social media campaign targeting US-Philippine relations mark a troubling escalation in geopolitical warfare. According to a Reuters investigation, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been orchestrating a sophisticated online operation through a Manila-based marketing firm, InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, to manipulate public opinion and undermine the strategic alliance between the United States and the Philippines.
The report details how Infinitus, a Chinese-owned company, created fake Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts and paid Filipino influencers to disseminate pro-China and anti-American narratives. These accounts, masquerading as genuine Filipino voices, amplified content that disparaged Western-made COVID-19 vaccines, criticized the US-Philippine security partnership, and promoted Beijing’s interests in the South China Sea. The campaign’s goal was clear: to sow discord, erode trust, and reshape the Philippines’ geopolitical orientation in favor of China.
This operation is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy by Beijing to weaponize information. The Philippines, due to its proximity to Taiwan and its strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region, has become a focal point in the tug-of-war between Washington and Beijing. As tensions rise over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the future of Taiwan, China’s leaders have reportedly instructed their military to be ready to seize the island by 2027. In this context, weakening US influence in neighbouring countries like the Philippines becomes a tactical necessity.
Social media, with its vast reach and low cost, offers an ideal platform for such influence operations. Unlike traditional propaganda, digital campaigns can be subtle, viral, and difficult to trace. By leveraging local influencers and creating seemingly authentic accounts, China’s campaign through Infinitus blurred the line between organic discourse and orchestrated manipulation.
Ironically, the nameInfinitusLatin for “boundless” or “infinite”reflects the limitless ambition of the CCP’s digital strategy. What was once a benign branding term has now become synonymous with a covert operation aimed at destabilizing democratic alliances. The firm’s activities came under scrutiny during a Philippine Senate hearing in April, where lawmakers presented evidence of payments from the Chinese embassy to Infinitus and highlighted suspicious social media posts.
The scope of Infinitus’ work extended beyond mere propaganda. It reportedly created a media outlet called ‘Ni Hao Manila’, designed to appear Filipino-run but serving Chinese interests. This outlet, along with the fake profiles, targeted nationalist lawmakers and pushed narratives that aligned with Beijing’s geopolitical goals.
Philippine officials have been increasingly vocal about the threat posed by foreign influence campaigns. A former senior official with the National Security Council, warned that the explosion of social media has turbocharged these operations. The country’s strategic location makes it a prime target, and its vibrant online culturewhere influencers hold significant sway creates fertile ground for manipulation.
Yet, the response has been cautious. While some lawmakers have called for investigations and greater transparency, others fear the political fallout of confronting a major economic partner like China. The balancing act between economic cooperation and national security has never been more precarious.
The US-Philippine alliance, rooted in decades of military cooperation and shared democratic values, is facing a new kind of threatone that doesn’t involve missiles or warships but memes and hashtags. If left unchecked, digital influence campaigns like the one led by Infinitus could erode public support for the alliance, weaken joint defence initiatives, and embolden China’s territorial ambitions.For Washington, this is a wake-up call. Traditional diplomacy must now be complemented by digital vigilance. Supporting media literacy, funding independent journalism, and collaborating with allies to expose and counter disinformation should become core components of US foreign policy.
The Infinitus scandal underscores the urgent need for digital sovereignty in the Philippines and beyond. Governments must invest in cybersecurity, regulate foreign-owned media entities, and empower citizens to discern truth from manipulation. Transparency in influencer marketing, especially when tied to political content, should be mandated.
Moreover, tech platforms like Facebook and X must take greater responsibility. Their algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often amplify polarizing content. When foreign actors exploit these systems, the consequences can be geopolitical.
The CCP’s use of Infinitus to wage a digital war against US-Philippine ties is a stark reminder that influence in the 21st century is no longer confined to borders or battlefields. It flows through fiber-optic cables, social media feeds, and viral videos. As democracies grapple with this new reality, vigilance, transparency, and cooperation will be their strongest defences.
The name Infinitusmay imply boundlessness, but the world must draw clear boundaries when it comes to foreign interference. The integrity of alliances, the sovereignty of nations, and the truth itself depend on it.
Sources:
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-10-05/how-china-waged-an-infowar-against-u-s-interests-in-the-philippines
https://kathmandupost.com/world/2025/10/06/how-china-waged-an-infowar-against-us-interests-in-the-philippines
https://www.econotimes.com/China-Backed-Troll-Campaign-Targets-Philippines-Through-Fake-Social-Media-Accounts-1722419
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