Think tank warns of China-backed cyber warfareMANILA, Philippines — The Stratbase Institute warned on Thursday that the Philippines is confronting an “unseen war” in cyberspace as China-linked information operations and foreign interference increasingly shape public perception and democratic processes ahead of future elections. It is measured by who controls the information space, who shapes the narratives being amplified and who influences public perception,” he said. Manhit underscored that democratic resilience requires transparency and accountability, even amid geopolitical tensions, and cautioned that election-related influence operations begin well before the formal campaign period. We welcome that response because this is precisely what democratic resilience requires: open debate, transparency, accountability and the defense of sovereign rights under international law,” he said. It begins now, in shaping the information environment and the cyber landscape,” he added.

Source: Philippine Star February 21, 2026 16:34 UTC