NSC confirms: Filipinos nabbed for Chinese-linked spy activities

The National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday evening confirmed a report that authorities discovered and arrested Filipinos allegedly involved in Chinese-linked espionage and foreign-directed malign activities in the country.

In a statement, the NSC called it a “serious national security matter.”

It is for this reason that the NSC said it “cannot discuss identities, methods, or timelines so as not to jeopardize on-going operations.”

“The operations of these individuals acting on the behest of Chinese Intelligence have been addressed and terminated,” the agency said.

“Nonetheless, necessary actions have been taken against the individuals concerned – all Filipino nationals – who have all confessed their complicity in espionage activities and are cooperating with authorities,” the NSC added.

The Filipinos allegedly involved in the espionage and foreign-directed malign activities were arrested through joint operations with other government agencies under the Insider Threat Program.

The NSC said the program – covering many government agencies handling sensitive information – “seeks to protect national security sensitive information, capabilities, and operations from foreign espionage, turn/coercion, and malicious or negligent compromise.”

“We assure the public that safeguards are in place and working, and our security agencies remain proactive and vigilant leading to the success of Philippine counter-intelligence operations,” it said.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Chinese Embassy for comment and will publish it once available.

The NSC also urged Congress to prioritize the approval of two measures “which would strengthen the country’s ability to protect our country’s sovereignty, democratic institutions, and security from covert or deceptive foreign state activities.”

These are: the new Anti-Espionage Bill that would replace Commonwealth Act 616, and the Anti-Foreign Malign Influence and Interference Act.

“When passed into the law, these measures would expand the investigative powers of government, allow the prevention and disruption of hostile operations and networks, and protect our sensitive information and critical infrastructure,” the NSC said.

The NSC was referring to a Rappler investigative report, which alleged that Chinese nationals successfully recruited young and capable government employees or people close to them to gain access to top security and defense documents. — JMA, GMA Integrated News