A firm from Makati allegedly engaged by the Chinese Embassy to carry out information operations aimed at influencing the upcoming elections could be charged with treason, a lawmaker warned on Wednesday.
In an interview with ANC, Senator Francis Tolentino said InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. may be liable for treason and added that “some cybercrime laws” might also apply in the case.
Tolentino further suggested the need to examine the company’s tax compliance and its registration status with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Previously, Tolentino disclosed that the Chinese Embassy had contracted InfinitUs to deploy “dedicated keyboard warriors” for crisis and issue management purposes.
Tolentino claimed the firm had launched online campaigns that criticized the Philippine government while “conveying the policies of the Chinese government.” He presented a copy of a check dated September 11, 2023, amounting to ₱930,000, which he said was issued by the Chinese Embassy to InfinitUs.
China, however, has denied the allegations, stating it has no intention of interfering in the Philippine elections.
“Core here is they betrayed their citizenship,” the lawmaker said of the company.
“Pilipino sila. Bakit sila nagpagamit sa China? Pilipino sila, bakit sila nagpagamit sa dayuhan? Pilipino sila bakit hinayaan nilang maging bahagi sila sa paninira ng sarili nilang bansa?” said Tolentino.
“I look forward to seeing the day when we will be expelling some Chinese diplomats because of this incident. I look forward to the day when the Department of Foreign Affairs would really summon the Chinese ambassador and let him explain what they have done to our country,” he said.