Updated Foreign Agent Act sought amid pro-China trolls, says Carpio

The Foreign Agents Act should be updated to monitor Filipinos and foreigners working for China in the Philippines amid proliferating pro-China trolls online, retired Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Sunday.

“Dapat i-update natin ang Foreign Agents Act dahil if you’re a foreign agent, you’re working for China, you have to register para malaman ng buong bansa na you’re speaking for China, na bayad ka,” Carpio told Super Radyo dzBB.

(The Foreign Agents Act needs to be updated because if you’re a foreign agent, you’re working for China, you have to register so that everyone in the Philippines knows you’re paid to speak for China.)

“Dapat i-update ‘yun para mapilitang mag register mga tao na ito. And may penalty if they don't register kasi ngayon. They are taking of our freedom of expression na ‘sinasabi ko ito’ pero ayun pala bayaran pala sila ng China to say those things,” he added.

(It needs to be updated so that people are mandated to register. A penalty should also be imposed on those who fail to register. They are taking away our freedom of expression by saying things, but in reality, they are paid by China to do so.)

Carpio also said Filipinos should register for transparency.

"Dapat i-update 'yun so that lahat ng (It needs to be updated so that all) Filipino(s) who are echoing China’s views on the West Philippines Sea. They have to register that they were requested or then have an agreement with China to propagate, to disseminate the view of China in the Philippines," Carpio said. 

Carpio made the statement following Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela’s criticism of these alleged “Filipino trolls.”

Last week, Tarriela condemned ‘Filipino trolls’ who appeared to be echoing the Chinese narrative following his social media post on Chinese leaders.

“Ang ikinalulungkot ko, may mga troll na Pilipino. Some of them are social media influencers. Some of them are fanatics ng kilala naman nating pulitikong sinusuportahan nila. They are being used as puppets in amplifying the Chinese narrative,” Tarriela said.

(I’m saddened that there are Filipino trolls. Some are social media influencers, while some are fanatics of known politicians. They are being used as puppets in amplifying the Chinese narrative.)

Under the Foreign Agents Act of 1979, individuals are required to register and disclose their political activities in the Philippines for national security.

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said online trolling could be considered an act of treason, especially if it undermines national interest and security.

“Pwede nating i-consider ‘yan na krimen. That’s treason. Interes na ‘yan ng ating bayan at national security issue na ‘yan,” Ejercito said in a separate interview on dzBB.

(We can consider that as a crime. That’s treason because it involves the interests of our country and is a national security issue.)

Ejercito said the Philippines should strengthen alliances with what he described as “right-minded” countries to protect its sovereignty.

“Kinakailangang magsama-sama ang mga right-minded nations. Hindi natin kaya ang China dahil superpower sila. Kailangan maging kaalyado natin ang mga right-minded nations para mayroon tayong katuwang sa pakikipaglaban para sa ating soberanya,” he said.

(Right-minded countries should unite. We cannot face China alone because it is a superpower. We need allies among right-minded nations to help us defend our sovereignty.)

The senator added that if China wants to maintain good relations with the Philippines, it should respect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Despite calls from legislators, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata, according to Malacañang.

Carpio said expelling a foreign official is not advisable and should be the last resort. 

Instead, he said the Department of Foreign Affairs should summon Quan to address the issue, as what China did to the Philippine envoy in Beijing. —RF/MCG, GMA Integrated News