China denied allegations of interference in the Philippines’ midterm elections, as raised by Manila’s National Security Council (NSC).
During a Thursday press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reaffirmed Beijing’s non-interference stance.
“China follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs… We have no interest in interfering in Philippine elections,” Guo said.
However, at a Senate inquiry regarding China’s submersible drones and alleged espionage activities, NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya suggested otherwise.
“There are indications that information operations are being conducted… are Chinese state-sponsored in the Philippines and are actually interfering in the forthcoming elections,” Malaya said.
Pressed on whether these operations aimed to support specific candidates favored by China and undermine others, Malaya responded affirmatively. He later disclosed in an ambush interview that the NSC has identified the candidates believed to be backed by China.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has since been briefed by intelligence agencies on the alleged foreign interference.
