Stratbase Institute President Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit emphasized the urgent need to treat cybersecurity as a matter of national security, citing the growing dangers posed by online disinformation campaigns directly targeting Filipinos.
Speaking at the 4th Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Forum organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Manhit delivered a presentation titled “Democracies in the Age of Disinformation and Misinformation.” The event was themed “5th Generation Warfare: A War of Information and Perception: Securing Minds, Societies, and Sovereignty.”
Manhit discussed asymmetric security challenges, such as cyberattacks, malign influence, and disinformation campaigns: all of which, he said, became more evident in the last election season, especially as a population heavily reliant on the internet became more susceptible to manipulation online.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern; it is a fundamental pillar of our national security,” Manhit stressed. “In an age where wars are fought through narratives and algorithms, securing our digital space means securing our sovereignty.”
He warned of a “shadow war” waged not through traditional weapons, but through targeted information operations and psychological manipulation. He explained that these threats take the form of coordinated cyberattacks, disinformation networks, and propaganda campaigns, many of which have been seen online ahead of national events and elections.
“Democratic decline is not always ushered in by tanks and coups. It is also manifested through unchecked digital manipulation, cyberattacks, and influence operations. Our national security strategy must evolve to defend against these silent invasions,” Manhit shared.
In his talk, Manhit highlighted some of the foreign-backed disinformation campaigns that aim to amplify pro-China narratives, undermine West Philippine Sea advocacies, and sow distrust in democratic institutions. These include fake news networks, troll armies, and algorithm-driven content amplification that distort public discourse and erode the integrity of real information.
“In today’s multipolar and digitally driven world, the battlefield has expanded to our newsfeeds, comment sections, and social media timelines,” he said.
“To win this war, we must recognize that the manipulation of information is as powerful as the use of force,” he added.
The expert also cautioned against the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Bill in its current form due to its lack of strong cybersecurity and data privacy safeguards.
“The Data Privacy Act will still offer some protection, but the real concern lies in the Konektadong Pinoy Bill’s provision that gives data transmission providers up to two years before they are required to be ready for a cybersecurity audit. That’s a dangerously long window of vulnerability,” Manhit explained.
“Any company entering the Philippines to provide data transmission services must already adhere to global cybersecurity standards and be audit-ready from Day Zero,” he added.
