AFP: Chinese national handled 3 alleged Filipino spies

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has identified the handler of the three Filipinos who were recently arrested for their alleged involvement in foreign-backed spy activities.

In Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the AFP released an image of the passport of the Chinese handler.

Authorities found out the identity of the handler after a tactical interrogation of the three Filipinos who were caught leaking information about the rotation and resupply activities in the West Philippine Sea.

Two of them are civilian employees of the Philippine Navy (PN) and Department of National Defense (DND), while the third is a businessman who happened to be close to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) official.

“Ang naghahandle talaga dito is PRC national and there are instances na pumupunta siya sa Pilipinas, sometimes they meet in another country. But most of the time, kapag tumatanggap siya ng mga impormasyon, pumupunta dito ang Chinese national na ’yan,” said Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.

(The one handling it is a People’s Republic of China national, and there are instances where the handler comes to the Philippines, sometimes they meet in another country. But most of the time, when he receives information, that Chinese national comes here.)

“We already have the name of that Chinese intelligence personnel na nagha-handle ng mga ganitong informant system natin na binabayaran nila. It ranges from five to six digits ‘yang bayad sa kanila. And for every information niya, it is immediately settled,” he added.

(We already have the name of the Chinese intelligence personnel who handles this informant system. Their payment ranges from five to six digits. And for every information received, it is immediately settled.)

The PCG said it will also review its system in handling sensitive information amid the ongoing investigation to avoid a compromise of its operations in the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG officer who unknowingly revealed confidential information will be also held accountable.

“Definitely, there will be charges that will be filed against the Coast Guard personnel. But as of this time, hindi ko pa masabi kung ano ito (I cannot say what these charges are),” Tarriela said.

Malacañang also expressed alarm over the alleged Filipino spies and urged the public not to sell the country in exchange for money.

Earlier, the Chinese Embassy denied the allegations as slander and fabrications allegedly meant to damage Beijing’s relations with Manila. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/JMA, GMA Integrated News