Makati firm denies running China troll operations

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Makati-based marketing firm accused of being hired by the Chinese Embassy for troll operations to advance its strategic interests in the Philippines has denied the allegations made during a Senate hearing last week.

In a statement posted on its social media page on Friday, May 2, InfinitUs Marketing Solutions denied the validity of the contract presented by Senator Francis Tolentino, which allegedly showed the company’s “service agreement” with the Chinese Embassy for troll operations and disinformation.

The company described the document as “unauthenticated, unsigned, and completely unfamiliar” to them.

“It is, at best, a forgery crafted to fit a political narrative,” the statement read.

While InfinitUs confirmed receiving a P930,000 check from the Chinese Embassy, it emphasized that the transaction was “legal and justified” and part of its regular dealings with various clients, including diplomatic institutions, all of which it stressed were completely aboveboard.

InfinitUs stated that it specializes in public relations, events, and digital communications.

“We are not trolls—we are professionals. Our firm does not, and will never, engage in trolling, online harassment, or deception,” the company said.

InfinitUs also condemned the “reckless” labeling of its services as “troll activity,” calling it false, defamatory, and dangerous to its staff and clients.

“We urge public officials, media, and institutions to uphold the constitutional presumption of innocence, the sanctity of evidence, and the principle of fairness,” the company appealed.

InfinitUs committed to respond to any “legitimate inquiry within the bounds of law and decorum.”

Tolentino, chairman of the Senate special committee on Philippine maritime and admiralty zones, earlier said an invitation had been sent to InfinitUs for a hearing next week. The National Bureau of Investigation also issued a subpoena to the company for its separate probe.

This follows a presentation by Tolentino during an April 24 hearing, where he showed documents allegedly indicating that the Chinese Embassy hired InfinitUs to operate “keyboard warriors,” including a social media plan aimed at promoting China’s messaging and attacking officials critical of Beijing.

“Hayaan muna natin magpaliwanag sila (InfinitUs). ‘Yun po ang due process e. Patunayan nila na mali ang sinabi ko [Let’s allow them to explain first. That’s what due process is. They should prove that what I said is wrong],” Tolentino said in a media forum earlier this week.