Philippine Senator JV Ejercito questioned Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday regarding the possibility of China employing social media trolls to disseminate propaganda within the Philippines. The inquiry arose during a hearing concerning the Department of National Defense (DND) 2027 budget. Senator Ejercito expressed concern that these trolls may be attempting to create discord among Filipinos regarding the country’s claims to territorial sovereignty. The hearing focused on whether these online activities constitute a threat to national security. No immediate response from Secretary Teodoro was provided in the supplied text. The situation highlights growing anxieties in the Philippines about potential external interference in domestic affairs and ongoing territorial disputes.