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It looks like some of our favorite social media personalities might be playing a role in something bigger—and more controversial—than brand endorsements and viral challenges.

According to National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director Jonathan Malaya, local influencers are allegedly being used as proxies by China to push its propaganda on Philippine issues.

During a recent Senate hearing on the Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zone, Malaya revealed that China isn’t doing the talking directly. Instead, they’re reportedly tapping influencers—yes, social media figures with reach and influence—to echo scripts aligned with China’s stance on sensitive topics.

He even mentioned that around ten influencers are believed to be part of this effort. Some of them are even based in China for studies, but they’re still Filipino and—according to Malaya—well-known names that the NSC has already identified.

It doesn’t stop there. Senator Francis Tolentino also brought up claims that the Chinese Embassy supposedly hired a PR firm—InfinitUs—to recruit local trolls or “keyboard warriors.” These operatives are said to be spreading misinformation online, especially on platforms like Facebook. Tolentino emphasized that many of these accounts don’t appear to be authentic users, hinting at coordinated digital manipulation.

So the next time you scroll past a viral political post from an “influencer,” it might be worth asking: Who are they really influencing—and why?

This story is still developing, but one thing’s for sure—it’s getting harder to tell where online opinions are really coming from.