Description: Israeli – based tech company Cyabra has announced they have uncovered a massive cyber campaign in the Philippines aimed at election meddling in the country. The company disclosed data of several thousand fake accounts which aggressively criticized the arrest of the former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court. Duterte was arrested for waging illegal drug war in the country which was followed by mass casualties and violation of humanitarian principles. Cyabra officials have stated the disinformation campaign was aimed at improving the political ratings of his daughter Sara Duterte which would most likely face incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in mid – term elections next month.
Impact: Large disinformation campaigns have become an actionable resource of warfare as other countries or groups of interest intercede in key elections in countries with weak cybersecurity defense. The mid – term elections in the Philippines scheduled for next month could dictate the country’s future as it faces existential threats from Chinese naval assets and mounting hybrid pressure. The cyber disinformation campaign most likely originated from China especially because it’s aimed at improving Sara Duterte’s political ratings who has publicly stated her support towards China and called the dispute with the Philippines a political farce. The Philippines are largely dependent in their defense capabilities on the US as they would have to hammer out any potential election meddling in the country as the Philippines are a crucial US ally in the disputed South China Sea and the larger Indo – Pacific region. China would continue to enhance hybrid warfare operations as it aims towards establishing regional dominance of global key trade and naval routes in the South China Sea.