Philippines lawmakers are set to investigate a covert propaganda operation by the US military aimed at discrediting China’s Covid-19 vaccine. This campaign allegedly ran from spring 2020 to mid-2021, spreading misinformation about the Chinese vaccine Sinovac.
During the height of the pandemic, the Philippines struggled with high infection rates and vaccine hesitancy. The US military operation allegedly used fake social media accounts to spread false claims about the quality of Chinese-made test kits and masks.
The investigation was prompted by documents revealing this misinformation campaign and its impact on public health efforts in the Philippines. Senator Imee Marcos and House Representative France Castro are leading the inquiry, aiming to uncover any breaches of international law by the US military.
The Pentagon’s response emphasized their use of social media to counter disinformation, alleging that China also engaged in similar tactics. This revelation sheds light on the importance of truthful information in public health crises and the need to safeguard national sovereignty.