MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is in the midst of a hidden, strategic battle for its democratic institutions as foreigners weaponize information to manipulate public perception and undermine sovereignty, a leading policy expert warned on Thursday.
Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit, president of the Stratbase Institute, during his opening remarks at the "Navigating Digital Crossroads" forum emphasized that the nation’s sovereignty was being tested not only in the West Philippine Sea but also in the cyber domain.
Citing the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report, Manhit highlighted misinformation, disinformation, and cyber insecurity as severe short- and long-term threats.
He described the current landscape as a "geopolitical battleground" where technologies like deepfakes and AI-generated content are used to manipulate public opinion at scale.
Manhit framed these activities under the concept of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), describing it as a deliberate, organized system designed to exploit political vulnerabilities.
"We are witnessing a hidden yet creeping battle of influence—an often-overlooked dimension that operates quietly, persistently, and strategically," Manhit said.
"This is a war we cannot easily see. It is no longer plainly measured by bullets, ships, or aircraft, but by who controls the information space," he added.
Manhit specifically pointed to coordinated operations aimed at amplifying pro-China narratives, discrediting Philippine institutions, and distracting public discourse from issues like China's ongoing aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Manhit said these tactics constituted political, psychological, and legal warfare—a strategy China has employed since 2013.
Citing a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase, Manhit revealed that while a vast majority of Filipinos use the internet primarily for social media and news, nearly 7 in 10 express deep concern about misinformation.
He warned that false narratives born online did not remain confined to the digital space but ultimately seep into governance and national decision-making.
However, Manhit said public trust was a key pillar of democratic resilience. He noted that amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Filipinos showed overwhelming trust in like-minded partners such as the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia.
In stark contrast, 89 percent of Filipinos do not trust China which, Manhit described, was a "clear public rejection of attempts to distort reality or rewrite the truth."
As the country looks toward the 2028 elections, Manhit urged for long-term planning to safeguard national security and democratic stability.
"Technology is ever-evolving. We should never allow foreign agents to bring down our defenses and sway what our people feel, think, and believe, which in turn influences their democratic decisions," he said. "There should be no compromises in the protection of our sovereignty and our democracy."
The two-day forum, organized by the Stratbase Institute, brings together government officials, diplomats, private sector leaders, and civil society to discuss strategies for bolstering cybersecurity and democratic resilience in the Indo-Pacific.