According to an opinion piece by BusinessWorld, the most effective foreign influence operations are rarely built on espionage alone. Instead, they thrive in governance vacuums, regulatory blind spots, elite dependency networks, and fragmented information environments.
The article argues that open democracies like the Philippines are particularly susceptible because their institutions often lack the agility to counter modern information warfare. Weak regulatory frameworks and elite capture create openings for foreign actors to exploit, while fragmented media ecosystems make it easier to spread disinformation.
Without addressing these structural vulnerabilities, the Philippines will continue to face significant challenges in safeguarding its democratic processes from foreign interference. The piece underscores the need for stronger governance, media literacy, and cross-sector collaboration to build resilience against influence operations.