Swift action vs. ‘spies’ shows PH focus on nat’l security

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

SURVEILLANCE SUSPECTS. Five Chinese nationals suspected of spying are presented to the media at the National Bureau of Investigation office in Pasay City on Thursday (Jan. 30, 2025), with (seated, from left) Department of Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, NBI Director Jaime Santiago and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. They were arrested separately at Ninoy Aquino International Airport after coming back from Palawan province; in Binondo and Intramuros in Manila; and in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The immediate response of the country’s military and intelligence services that resulted in the arrest of five Chinese nationals allegedly involved in espionage highlights the government’s commitment to protecting the country, the National Security Council (NSC) said on Friday.

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the successful operations underscore the need for continued vigilance and proactive counterintelligence measures to disrupt attempts at espionage.

“The government remains committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that those found engaging in espionage and intelligence operations are held accountable. We assure the public that our security and intelligence units will continue to strengthen counterintelligence and monitoring efforts to strengthen our national security,” Año said.

On Thursday, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines presented five Chinese nationals who were nabbed for suspected intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in the country.

Authorities seized from the suspects some military-grade and high-resolution video cameras disguised to look like civilian security closed-circuit television (CCTV).

“These foreign nationals, who were placed under surveillance following another Chinese national and his local accomplices, were found to be conducting aerial reconnaissance and collecting imagery intelligence on Philippine naval assets,” Año said.

He said the suspects’ activities near Ulugan Bay and Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Palawan province, as well as their surveillance of Coast Guard stations and naval docks, are serious concerns that warrant a firm and coordinated response.