China Embassy shocked by US staff’s ‘spy’ remark during traffic stop

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines expressed dismay over a US Embassy staff member invoking a "Chinese spy" narrative during a traffic stop by Philippine enforcers.

“We have noted reports of the incident and are deeply shocked and concerned about the relevant baseless accusations against China and the so-called ‘Chinese spy’ narrative,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.

On Friday morning, Philippine traffic enforcers stopped an SUV with US Embassy diplomatic plates for illegally passing through the EDSA Busway near Ortigas Avenue.

According to the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT), the American driver failed to present a valid license and instead showed his passport.

A video posted by the DOTr-SAICT shows another American, a passenger on the SUV, objecting to officers photographing the passport, claiming it was illegal and demanding the image be deleted. 

He also insisted that the officers speak to a high-ranking police official before escalating the matter to the embassy.

In the footage, the passenger remarked that officers might "sell the picture of the passport to Chinese spies."

The US Embassy later confirmed that those involved were members of its community.

“The US Embassy instructs all staff to obey Philippine law, including traffic regulations,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy urged Philippine authorities to release the final results of their investigation.

DOTr-SAICT data shows that 518 vehicles were fined for illegally using the EDSA Busway in 2024, generating P189 million in penalties. 

In January 2025 alone, P7 million in fines were collected from violators. — with a report from Michaela del Callar/DVM, GMA Integrated News