The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Friday that it is now monitoring 10,000 alleged trolls opposing the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“When we started the transparency initiative, we could only monitor around 1,000 trolls,” said Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, during a forum.
“But right now, the number of trolls on social media platforms has increased more than tenfold. In short, we are now monitoring 10,000 social media accounts that counter our position in the WPS,” he added.
Tarriela explained that these trolls operate on three levels: as influencers or initiators, disseminators, and reposters.
He said these accounts are spreading narratives claiming that the Philippines lacks legal grounds for its claims and is escalating tensions in the WPS. They also allege that the United States is behind the Philippines’ actions in the region.
Tarriela further noted that government officials advocating for the Philippines’ position in the WPS are being targeted by trolls through online attacks.
The West Philippine Sea encompasses maritime areas west of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea, as well as waters surrounding the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that China’s claims in the South China Sea had “no legal basis.”
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino earlier warned that China is funding troll farms and covert disinformation campaigns to interfere in the 2025 Philippine elections and to target anti-China candidates.
“It is an attack on our freedom. It is an attack on what we deserve. It is an attack on the ability of every Filipino citizen to enjoy a free press, learn the truth, speak and be heard, and stand up for ourselves and stand united,” he said.
The senator raised the alarm during a Senate Special Committee hearing on maritime security, where he presented documents linking Beijing to information operations aimed at undermining pro-sovereignty voices.
Tolentino cited the firm Infinitus Marketing Solutions as allegedly coordinating with Chinese entities to carry out online attacks disguised as organic public sentiment.
The senator presented screenshots of troll posts accusing the Philippine government of provoking China with its maritime policies and questioning its motives in asserting territorial claims.
He emphasized that many of the troll accounts also echo pro-China narratives, downplay the West Philippine Sea conflict, and promote the idea that the country cannot prosper without Beijing.
Infinitus, however, denied accusations that it was tapped by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to conduct “troll operations, disinformation, or illicit digital activity” in the country.
“We are not trolls—we are professionals. Our firm does not, and will never, engage in trolling, online harassment, or deception. The reckless labeling of our services as ‘troll activity’ is false, defamatory, and endangers our people and clients,” Infinitus Marketing Solutions, Inc. said in a statement issued by its legal representative, Labe Law Office.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “PCG monitors 10,000 ‘trolls’ opposing West Philippine Sea stance.”
