EU observers to monitor potential foreign interference in polls

Metro Manila, Philippines - European observers are closely monitoring the possibility of foreign interference, including disinformation and coordinated manipulation of public opinion, as they officially launch their activities ahead of the midterm polls on May 12.

“This will be the first deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) in the country, marking an important step toward stronger EU-Philippines relations. Our presence aims to contribute to an inclusive, transparent, and credible election process without interfering nor validating its results,” said chief observer Marta Temido, a member of the European Parliament, in a press conference on Friday, April 25.

Temido said foreign interference - in particular from actors such as China - has become a growing concern not only in the Philippines but globally.

She said the mission is equipped with a social media monitoring team and data analysts trained to detect organized disinformation campaigns, including those involving troll farms.

“Regarding the foreign interference, namely from China, we have a social monitoring unit in our core team. It’s made up of several analysts, each using specific methodologies,” said Temido.

“Namely farm trolls, foreign interference - and our reports will address those concerns because they are more common concerns nowadays,” she added.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro echoed the concerns, highlighting how foreign information manipulation is not unique to the Philippines but a global challenge requiring cooperation.

“In general terms, for both the EU and our partners, the issue of foreign interference is a common challenge,” the envoy said.

“We can even work together to engage in cooperation in counteracting foreign information manipulation or cyberattacks,” he added.

The EU mission will assess the electoral process against Philippine law and the country’s international commitments to democratic elections. This includes evaluating the legal framework, campaign conduct, voting, counting, electoral dispute resolution, and the media environment, including social media platforms.

Temido, who concluded her five-day initial visit, met with election stakeholders, including the Commission on Elections, political parties, candidates, civil society groups, and media

The total EU EOM deployment is expected to exceed 200 observers, including members of the European Parliament and diplomats from EU states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland making it one of the EU’s largest missions in three decades.

The EU EOM will release its preliminary findings in a press briefing on May 14, followed by a comprehensive final report that will include recommendations to improve future elections in the Philippines.

The mission is funded exclusively by the EU and abides by international principles of neutrality and non-interference.