Probe of US’ anti-Chinese vax drive urged

Rep. France Castro —PHOTO FROM HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives filed on Thursday a resolution calling for an inquiry into the disinformation campaign allegedly waged by the US military to cast doubt on the efficacy and safety of Chinese vaccines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas filed House Resolution No. 1773, which seeks an investigation of what they called “underhanded tactics by a foreign military power, sowing disinformation in the Philippines [as] a brazen affront to our national sovereignty and the democratic rights of the Filipinos.”

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The resolution was prompted by a recent Reuters investigation revealing how the US Department of Defense conducted a secret psychological operation using fake social media accounts to spread information about China-made face masks, test kits, and vaccines during the pandemic.

The resolution accused the United States of being driven by its “geopolitical rivalry … with China, with the Filipino people tragically caught in the crossfire of these imperialist powers prioritizing their interests over human lives.”

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Speaking to reporters after the filing, Manuel said the use of such psychological operations to influence domestic policy during a health crisis was “really unacceptable and manipulative … it is something that would not be done by a country that postures itself to be a friend and ally of the Philippines.”

Castro said it was “imperative that we ascertain the extent of the damage caused by this secret campaign and hold those responsible accountable.”

“The Philippines was one of the areas targeted by this operation, and therefore, it is our duty to safeguard our nation’s sovereignty and protect our people’s health,” she added.