It is with pleasure to share another ADR Institute’s Special Study entitled “The West Philippine Sea and the Convergence of Offensive Cyber and Disinformation Activities,” authored by Dr. Sherwin E. Ona, Non-resident Fellow, Stratbase-ADRI.

The paper basically argues about the need to adopt a coherent strategy to address cyber-enabled disinformation and guard against the malign influence activities of China. It also aims to provide decision makers and security planners with options on how to mitigate the effects of these insidious activities.

Specifically, the author aspires to establish the common themes, sources, and period related to disinformation and cyber-attacks surrounding the WPS issue, draw lessons from similar events in Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and propose policy related actions that can counter these malign influence activities.

As the Philippine military embarked on a recalibrated modernization program of its military and coast guard, the convergence of the weaponization of information and cyberspace dominance is consistent with Beijing’s gray zone warfare playbook. The escalation of China’s aggression in the WPS not only triggers a policy shift but is also simultaneously done with cyber-attacks and disinformation activities that discredit Philippine government and divert public discourse. On this note, the paper recommends the recognition of the power of AI and its usage in malign influence operations, the development of a communication strategy for its EEZ, and the building up of a collective cyber defense.