2 Chinese among execs in PR firm tapped to hire trolls, SEC papers show

Two Chinese nationals were among the incorporators of InfinitUs Marketing Solutions —a public relations firm that was allegedly contracted by the Chinese Embassy in Manila to hire trolls to advance pro-China narratives in the Philippines. 

According to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents obtained by the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones, Min Li and Pin Li declared Chinese nationality in their articles of incorporation. 

Other incorporators of the firm were Filipino nationals named Ruby Benig Gestiada, Christine Bergantinos Li, and Myka Isabel Basco. 

In the document, the two Chinese nationals shared the same address with Christine Bergantinos Li in Taguig City, while the two other Filipinos declared their addresses in Parañaque and Imus City, Cavite. 

The marketing firm had declared in their articles of incorporation a capital of P3 million in 2019, with Christine Bergantinos Li having the biggest share upon the firm’s registration amounting to P900,000. 

She was followed by Min Li had who paid P700,000 for her shares, and Pin Li with P420,000.

According to the same document, InfintUs’ primary purpose is “to engage in the business of integrated marketing, communications, such as public relations, events management and other related services without, however, engaging in advertising and mass media.” 

InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. was mentioned by Senator Francis Tolentino during a recent Senate investigation into submersible drones and alleged China’s spying activities in the Philippines for its alleged contract with the Chinese Embassy in Manila to hire “keyboard warriors” in 2023. 

The senator showed a check from Bank of China Manila Branch dated September 11, 2023 which paid P930,000 to InfinitUs.

“Hindi po ito normal public relations, hindi po ito normal PR campaign. Ang ginagawa po is to openly provide information and convey the policies of the Chinese government,” Tolentino said.

“The money that the Chinese Embassy paid was for something hidden and sinister. It was to finance a troll farm. Troll farm po ‘yun. A covert disinformation and influence operation against the Philippine government and the Filipino people,” he added.

GMA News Online sought InfinitUs comment on the matter, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.—LDF, GMA Integrated News