Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro of the Philippines stated on Monday that China is actively using propaganda to influence public opinion and create divisions among Filipinos regarding the nation's territorial sovereignty. The accusation was made during a Senate hearing concerning the 2027 budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies. Teodoro specifically pointed to the People’s Liberation Army of China as being involved in these efforts. This suggests a deliberate attempt to undermine unity within the Philippines concerning its claims in the region. The Secretary affirmed this is a concerning trend and highlights the need for Filipinos to be vigilant against external manipulation. Details of specific propaganda methods were not immediately available, but the statement underscores rising tensions over sovereignty claims in the region surrounding the Philippines. This issue has been a long-standing point of contention between the two nations.