“It is true that the Department of Defense communicated with Philippine audiences to cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of Sinovac,” the document stated. It referenced information exchanged between the US Defense Department and the Philippine Departments of Foreign Affairs and National Defense. The Pentagon admitted to “missteps in our COVID-related messaging” but assured improved oversight and accountability of information operations since 2022.
The June 25 document indicated that Pentagon officials deemed the anti-vaccine campaign “misaligned with our priorities.” The US military informed Filipino officials that operatives ceased COVID-related messaging in August 2021.
The clandestine operation extended beyond the Philippines, targeting countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia in 2020 and 2021.
Using defence contractors and non-military partners, the US deployed networks of online bots and fake social media accounts to influence foreign audiences.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-admit...e_vignette