At a press conference, senatorial frontrunner ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo said foreign interference is real and coordinated, aiming to install a legislature that would follow Beijing’s agenda and weaken Philippine sovereignty.

“Obviously, ang lumalabas, parang gusto ng China ay Chinese-controlled Senate, Chinese-controlled House of Representatives,” Tulfo said.

“Kaya nasa kamay po ng tao, ng Pilipino, ng mga botante natin. If you want a Chinese-controlled Senate and House of Representatives, then alam niyo na ho what’s going to happen,” he warned.

Tulfo said the Chinese campaign goes beyond disinformation and includes espionage, surveillance, and psychological operations. While the Philippines is focused on Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), he said the real danger is unfolding within the country’s own institutions.

“It’s part of their campaign to keep our attention on the [WPS], pero hindi natin napapansin na may ibang operasyon na pala silang ginagawa. Lucky enough, lumutang itong espionage na ito. So talagang halatang-halata that they really want to control this country,” Tulfo said.

(Danny Bacolod)