Meet CIRIS: The Watchdog Fighting Disinformation in the West Philippine Sea

In the escalating battle over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), disinformation has emerged as a powerful weapon. Standing at the frontlines of this information war is the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies or CIRIS, a non-profit organization committed to exposing disinformation and strengthening national resilience through credible storytelling and strategic communications.

CIRIS is led by Michel Andre P. del Rosario, its Executive Director and a former Assistant Secretary under former Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. During his tenure in government, del Rosario chaired the Information Working Group of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, giving him firsthand experience in countering foreign malign influence campaigns that sought to distort public understanding of the WPS issue.

“CIRIS was born out of the realization that combating disinformation isn’t just about fact-checking—it’s about protecting our sovereignty,” del Rosario explains. “We need to ensure that truth not only reaches people but resonates deeply enough to drive real action.”

Backed by practitioners in strategic communications, national security, media, and policy research, CIRIS bridges the gap between government, civil society, and the public. Its team and network includes media professionals, researchers, and former officials who understand both the technical complexity of information or cognitive warfare and the emotional power of storytelling.

For CIRIS, the stakes are clear. The Philippines has 90.8 million social media users, nearly 80% of its population, who spend an average of 10 hours daily online—making them prime targets for coordinated disinformation campaigns.

“Disinformation around the WPS is not random noise,” del Rosario warns. “It’s information warfare designed to erode our resolve, divide our society, and diminish our confidence in defending what is rightfully ours.”

Common tactics include false legal claims, the use of paid troll armies and fake experts, and even AI-generated personas that populate interconnected networks of fake social media accounts. These networks spread narratives that downplay foreign aggression, discredit frontline defenders, negate the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory, and accuse civil society of foreign influence.

CIRIS counters these tactics through what it calls the ARM Framework: Awareness, Resilience, and Motivation. “It’s not enough to tell the truth,” del Rosario says. “We need to connect truth to action.”

Through media campaigns, partnerships with journalists and academics, and support for documentary films like Food Delivery and the much-awaited short film Alon ng Kabayanihan, CIRIS turns complex national security issues into emotionally compelling stories that inform and mobilize.

Alon ng Kabayanihan, produced in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, highlights the courage of soldiers and fishermen defending Philippine waters. “We want audiences to leave with clarity and conviction,” Del Rosario says. “The West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines, and protecting it is a shared responsibility.”

CIRIS also recognizes the importance of reaching younger Filipinos. With Gen Z and Gen Alpha consuming content primarily on social media, CIRIS tailors its messaging for digital-native platforms. The group urges youth to “pause, study, and verify before sharing,” resisting the impulse to repost unverified content that could unintentionally spread foreign propaganda. Critical thinking and digital literacy are core to CIRIS’s mission. “Defending the truth in this era is not optional—it’s a civic duty,” del Rosario emphasizes.

For CIRIS, the fight against disinformation is not limited to institutions—it’s a shared societal responsibility. The organization urges Filipinos to call out falsehoods within their circles, challenge defeatism, and engage with credible sources like trusted media outlets, verified government platforms, and reputable information hubs.

“We are asking Filipinos to arm themselves with facts,” Del Rosario stresses. “Call out disinformation. Call out fear-mongering. Defending our sovereignty begins with defending the truth.”

As disinformation grows more sophisticated, CIRIS is expanding its partnerships and doubling down on emotionally resonant media that counter malign influence. Upcoming initiatives include broader digital literacy campaigns and deeper engagement with community leaders and grassroots networks.

Ultimately, CIRIS’s mission is clear: to turn truth into a force that empowers, unites, and strengthens the Philippines’ resolve in the face of disinformation and foreign coercion.

“In the West Philippine Sea, our sovereignty is on the line,” del Rosario concludes. “But so is our reality, our truths. Fighting for the truth is fighting for our future.”