Cagayan de Oro: Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has voiced his support for Senator Francis Tolentino’s initiative to file treason and espionage charges against the officers and directors of a Makati-based public relations firm. The firm is allegedly linked to the Chinese Embassy, and accused of disseminating disinformation against the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rodriguez, a former law dean, referenced the Revised Penal Code and the National Security Act as the legal basis for prosecuting both Filipinos and foreigners involved in activities that compromise Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized the necessity of applying these laws to individuals working against national interests.

Rodriguez has been the first lawmaker to publicly advocate for criminal charges against Infinitus Marketing Solutions, Inc., the PR firm in question. On April 25, he urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the company and consider charges of treason and espionage.

Senator Tolentino, who leads the Senate special committee on maritime zones, revealed that the filing of such charges would be included in his forthcoming committee report. He alleged that the Chinese embassy engaged the PR firm to recruit ‘keyboard warriors’ to propagate disinformation in favor of China while criticizing the Philippines.

Tolentino disclosed possessing a copy of the contract and a check for PHP900,000 from the Chinese Embassy to Infinitus. Paul Li, the firm’s founder and a Chinese national, refuted the contract’s existence during a Senate hearing but confirmed that the embassy issued the check to his company.