China assures protection of rights for Filipinos detained on espionage charges

The people’s Republic of China has guaranteed that the rights and interests of the three Filipinos currently detained in China on allegations of espionage will be secured under Chinese law.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs previously announced that the Philippine government had conveyed to the Chinese government that these allegations should be tried with due process and full respect for the rights of the detained Filipinos, in accordance with domestic law as well as the Philippines-China Consular Agreement.

Speaking to GMA Integrated News, the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said, “Their legitimate rights and interests will be protected legally. And your consular office has been working on this to take care of them."

The three Filipinos, who are residents of Palawan, are detained in a facility in Guangzhou, China, after Chinese authorities arrested them for allegedly being part of espionage activities against the Chinese government.

Last week, the Office of Migration Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-OMA) stated that it has already arranged for lawyers for the three Filipinos and that they have asked China to allow Philippine lawyers to contact the arrested Filipinos accused of spying.

The DFA has also previously stated that the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou “is providing all necessary assistance, including appropriate legal support, for the said Filipinos.”

When asked if the People’s Republic of China will allow the immediate family of the detained Filipinos to visit them in the detention facility, Ambassador Huang replied, “This is the application of your consular office in China. They have been engaging with Chinese authorities on all matters related to these Filipinos.”

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega and other Philippine government officials have also maintained that the three Filipinos are not spies but have refrained from further commenting, as this is seen as a “very sensitive issue” that the Philippine government is carefully monitoring and addressing with the Chinese government.

Chinese Envoy declines to comment on alleged underwater drones

Ambassador Huang declined to comment on recent reports about underwater drones found in Philippine waters, which are allegedly linked to China.

When asked about the situation, he referred to it as "unconfirmed" and stated, “I’m sorry, I don't want to comment on an unconfirmed situation.”

The Philippine Navy has reported that SIM cards recovered from these underwater drones are of "Chinese origin."

The National Security Council has raised concerns that these drones, identified between 2022 and 2024, may be used by China for underwater surveys, potentially indicating surveillance activities in the region.

Despite the unverified nature of the reports, Huang emphasized that China follows international laws in its maritime activities, saying, “We always follow international laws; that’s our approach to maritime activities.”

Additionally, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suggested that China may have deployed some of the recovered submersible drones. Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad noted, “There is a 55 to 80% likelihood that these were deployed by the Chinese Communist Party.” — BAP, GMA Integrated News