Digital sovereignty protection pushed

(UPDATE) SENATE Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said protecting the country's digital infrastructure against foreign interference is crucial to national sovereignty.

"We have to integrate our national sovereignty with our digital sovereignty," Tolentino said during a Senate inquiry on alleged Chinese espionage and interference in domestic affairs.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said malevolent online activities, including China-based troll operations, were documented by the poll body ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

Tolentino said such threat became evident with the recent arrest of a suspected Chinese spy using an IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) catcher near Comelec's premises.

To fortify the Philippines against such threats, Tolentino said Senate Bill 2951, or the Counter Foreign Interference Act, aims to broaden the definition of national security to include digital space.

It mandates internet service providers to block access to harmful electronic communications deemed prejudicial to national security and public safety.

"Foreign interference in the digital realm undermines our sovereignty and societal integrity. There are many more operations like InfinitUs that we have yet to uncover. Our intelligence community's recent accomplishments against foreign espionage are commendable, but we need more support from the public to strengthen our defenses," Tolentino said.