Nexus of Manipulation: Anatomy of Influence Operations in the Philippines

The report outlines how influence operations (IOs), led by both domestic and foreign actors, have disrupted the Philippine information ecosystem. It examines how disinformation campaigns were used to manipulate public opinion, support political figures like Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and promote China’s geopolitical interests. These IOs exploit platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to spread hyper-partisan narratives, which undermine democratic processes and foster political polarization. The report emphasizes the need for a coordinated counter-strategy involving media literacy, collaboration, and technological tools to counter these manipulation efforts.