Michel Andre Del Rosario, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies (CIRIS), recounted how their documentary nearly faced censorship by a Chinese official, calling it part of alleged 'cognitive warfare.'

In an exclusive interview in Kaalaman at Kabuhayan with Karen Ow-Yong (KKK) on Saturday, the CIRIS executive director and producer of the documentary film, described the incident as a clear example of malign influence, where an individual sought to interfere in another country’s domestic affairs.

Del Rosario recounted the documentary, titled “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea”, which premiered at the Doc Edge International Film Festival in Auckland, New Zealand, on June 28, where it won its category. However, before its screening, the Chinese consulate in Auckland sent a letter to the festival organizers requesting that the film be removed from the lineup. Fortunately, festival organizers and partners stood by democratic values, which allowed the documentary to be shown as planned.

“So, pinanindigan po nila, hindi po sila pumayag sa foreign censorship sa sarili nilang bansa,” he said, noting that the film festival organizers rejected the request from the Chinese representative.

During the film’s premiere and talkback sessions, Del Rosario recalled an audience member’s striking observation, saying that, “Hindi na lang po nila sinasakop yung ating mga dagat, ating mga yamang dagat, ang ating teritoryo, pati po yung ating kamalayan, ating mga istorya, ating mga katotohanan, pati po yun gusto nilang sakupin. And mas delikado po yun.”

He cited the term used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), called ‘cognitive warfare’, which means China’s actions extend beyond maritime or territorial issues, encompassing what he calls a 'conquest of consciousness,' which is allegedly part of cognitive warfare.

“Kumbaga mula doon gusto nilang i-erode yung ating will to stand up against them and stand up for ourselves,” he added.