The revelation that
the US military engaged in a secret propaganda campaign to undermine
China’s
Covid-19 vaccines in countries like the Philippines is deeply troubling and has grave implications for
Southeast Asia.
By fanning fears and scepticism about the Chinese
Sinovac vaccine at the height of the pandemic,
the Pentagon recklessly jeopardised public health across the region for the sake of scoring geopolitical points against a rival.
The clandestine operation, which involved creating fake social media accounts impersonating Filipinos and utilising the #ChinaAngVirus hashtag to spread anti-vaccine messaging, was an egregious violation of trust. It cynically exploited the vulnerabilities and insecurities of populations desperate for life-saving vaccines.
In
the Philippines, among the hardest-hit nations in Southeast Asia, only around 2 per cent of the population completed their initial vaccination protocol as Covid-19 deaths soared in mid-2021. As late as May 2022, only around 12 per cent had received booster doses. The difficulty in overcoming vaccine hesitancy left Filipinos tragically exposed to the virus.
The Pentagon-originated disinformation campaign uncovered by Reuters likely exacerbated the challenges in the Philippines’ vaccination efforts, already hampered by high levels of vaccine hesitancy. It was widely reported that most Filipinos had rejected the Chinese-made vaccines and had swamped the vaccination centres offering
Pfizer shots. This contributed to uneven vaccine uptake and delayed vaccination efforts.
Equally concerning was the fact that US diplomats had warned the Pentagon its covert campaign could severely damage America’s already fraying relationship with the Philippines. However, military brass overrode those objections, willing to further undermine a critical alliance for a perceived short-term tactical advantage against China. This calls into serious question Washington’s judgment and commitment as a regional security partner.
