“Balikatan sends a strong, unmistakable message: the Philippines stands with the world’s democracies, not with bullies who believe might makes right”
Right now, the Philippines is hosting Balikatan 2025, the largest joint military exercises with the United States and other allies.
Forces from Japan and Australia are participating, while Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom have sent observers. The sheer scale and scope of this exercise demonstrate a growing global solidarity against China’s persisting aggression.
Balikatan 2025 is more than a show of force—it’s a statement that the Philippines will defend its territory, its democracy, and its future against any threat, especially from a China that seeks to impose its will through aggression and coercion.
In the face of China’s relentless incursions in the West Philippine Sea, Balikatan sends a strong, unmistakable message: the Philippines stands with the world’s democracies, not with bullies who believe might makes right.
But while our soldiers are training on the ground, another battle is raging online and in the political arena—a battle for the minds and votes of Filipinos.
Recent revelations have exposed an alarming strategy: China is not just invading our waters; it is actively interfering in our democracy. The National Security Council (NSC) recently confirmed “indications” of Chinese meddling in the 2025 elections. At a Senate hearing, Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya presented evidence pointing to a state-financed disinformation operation aimed at influencing Filipino voters. This is not speculation—it’s a direct assault on our democracy.
We are seeing clear signs of an organized campaign to twist public opinion.
According to the NSC, China’s influence operations include the hiring of local firms like InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. to run covert pro-China propaganda.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino revealed damning evidence: a PHP 930,000 check from the Chinese embassy and a contract outlining a plan to deploy “keyboard warriors” to flood social media with false narratives.
Targets of these attacks included none other than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was branded a “U.S. puppet” in a November 2024 report.
This is not isolated meddling. It is part of a calculated, integrated strategy to destabilize Philippine democracy, weaken our institutions, and install leaders who will be pliant to Beijing’s interests.
Disinformation campaigns flood social media with propaganda, embolden parrots who shamelessly amplify China’s false narratives, and bury the truth under a barrage of lies.
And the environment is ripe for exploitation.
A Feb. 2025 Stratbase-SWS survey shows that 65 percent of Filipinos acknowledge that fake news flooding social media has become a serious threat.
A majority admit they struggle to distinguish legitimate news from deceptive lies. Malign actors are exploiting this vulnerability, manipulating public opinion and engineering perceptions to serve Beijing’s agenda.
The goal of these Beijing-funded malign actors is to undermine the will of the Filipino people, fracture our alliances, and steer the country away from defending its territorial rights.
It’s the same playbook they have used elsewhere—erode democracy from within so expansionism faces no resistance.
But Filipinos are not blind. A Pulse Asia survey from late 2024 found that 73 percent of Filipinos will not support pro-China candidates. Only 1 percent trust China as a development partner, while overwhelming majorities prefer alliances with the US, Japan, Canada, and Australia.
Except for some trolls handling multiple fake accounts, the truth is undeniable. As patriotic Filipinos, we know who our real friends are.
Balikatan is a reminder of the world we want to live in—a world where the Philippines is free, respected, and sovereign. But securing that future does not rest solely on our soldiers. It demands vigilance from every citizen, especially at the ballot box.
Electing pro-China candidates poses serious risks. It will lead to catastrophic policies that compromise our territorial integrity and sabotage our economic interests.
These Beijing puppets will become direct conduits for Chinese influence, advancing Beijing’s agenda inside our very own institutions.
This is not just a political choice—it is a decision that will define whether we remain a strong democracy, independent republic or fall under the shadow of an authoritarian State with no respect to the international rules based order.
This May 2025, we face a historic test: stand for democracy, sovereignty, and the Filipino future—or allow China’s interference to dictate our destiny.
The answer should be as strong and proud as our soldiers at Balikatan: We will not yield. We will not be bought. We will defend the Philippines.
Vote for leaders who will stand with the Filipino people, not kneel before their Beijing masters.
