Butuan city: Government agencies are intensifying information campaigns in the Caraga Region to educate the public, including students, on foreign interference, the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and ongoing insurgency threats. The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Philippine Army are leading the drive, targeting what they describe as foreign interference and malign influence (FIMI) by China.

According to Philippines News Agency, NICA-13 Regional Director Bonifacio Pulgo noted during a Philippine Information Agency forum that FIMI is an emerging threat in the country involving covert activities and deceptive influence by foreign states aimed at manipulating public opinion. Pulgo described FIMI as a "cognitive warfare" tool China uses to sow ambiguity, especially regarding the WPS, without resorting to open conflict.

Lt. Col. Regie Go of the 4th Civil-Military Operations Battalion stated that campaigns have reached 20 school campuses in Agusan and Surigao provinces this year, focusing on college and senior high school students vulnerable to deceptive recruitment. The campaigns also aim to counter residual efforts by the New People's Army to recruit students, Go added.