Palace says gov't to heighten measures vs. spies

The Philippine government will double its efforts in running after those involved in espionage activities, a Palace official said on Thursday.

''Yes, of course, nakakaalarma po talaga iyang balita na iyan, at pagpupursigihin pa po natin at paiigtingin po natin ang ating puwersa para po masugpo ang mga sinasabi at napagbibintangang spies,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a briefing.

(Yes, of course, that news is really alarming and we will double our efforts and improve our forces to run after these spies.) 

''At kailangan po talaga na mas maigting ang seguridad ng ating Palasyo at, of course, ng Pangulo,'' she added. 

(It's also necessary to beef up the security of the Palace and the President.) 

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) nabbed five men for alleged espionage activities. It said the five suspects were arrested on February 20 after the agency was alerted that suspicious vehicles were allegedly utilizing international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers and going to military and police camps, other essential systems, facilities, and national government assets within Metro Manila.

Authorities also validated the information and identified actionable intelligence.

Three of the five suspects were first arrested. They said they were commissioned by a Chinese man who was residing in Malate, Manila.

They also said they were ordered to drive in areas such as the Villamor Airbase, Camp Aguinaldo, Malacañang, Camp Crame, and US Embassy for P2,500 to 3,000 a month.—LDF, GMA Integrated News