Romualdez bares smear campaign against him, other envoys

There is an ongoing smear campaign against diplomats possibly related to the country's ties with the US, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez bared Tuesday, citing information from the intelligence community.

In a television interview, Romualdez said he learned about this following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s state visit to the United States in May.

"I was actually warned by the intelligence community, not only in Washington but here also in Manila, that there is a plan to do some operation against a personality, including myself, for the successful visit of the President perhaps," Romualdez told ANC.

"But more importantly, this is because of the four EDCA bases that the President approved for use or for the access of the US Armed Forces," he added, referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and US.

He said the campaign started "about two or three months ago."

"We didn't expect it to be a full blown smear campaign," Romualdez said.

Romualdez expressed fear that the internet would be utilized for the smear campaign.

"What is really very disturbing here is the fact that they can use the cyberspace to do all of this. They can actually manipulate memorandum for instance," he said, adding that "many of our institutions are severely compromised by the cybersitaution that we are facing right now."

Romualdez said the smear campaign aims to change the narrative of what is really happening in the society and is being launched against the US.

An example of this smear campaign, he said, was his supposed order by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to have him recalled. He said the DFA is already investigating the matter.

"Really if I'm going to be recalled, certainly I will be informed. Number two, we did look at the memo, the signature was redacted but the signature was that of Teodoro Locsin who was obviously now our ambassador to London," Romualdez said.

Romualdez said experts are coming from the US to help the Philippines in its cybersecurity situation. —KBK, GMA Integrated News