Arrested Filipino spy claims Chinese handler sought info on WPS missions, Balikatan

A Filipino who was allegedly involved in espionage for China revealed that he was asked to provide information not only on Philippine Navy and Coast Guard missions in the West Philippine Sea but also on operational details involving the Balikatan exercises with the United States.

In the second part of his interview with Chino Gaston on 24 Oras, the arrested spy, identified only as alias "Danny"—one of three Filipinos accused of spying for China—said he initially believed he was speaking with an American journalist requesting information.

"They fronted themselves as media. Naturally, I know that as media practitioners, they would always want to be the first to get the information," he said.

His handler, identified through the alias "Peter," was reportedly a Korean national based in the United States.

Danny said he was asked for classified information on rotation and resupply missions, as well as details on the Balikatan exercises—an annual military training conducted with U.S. forces.

The Balikatan exercises sometimes include allied nations such as Australia and Japan, and one of the venues is Philippine waters, including areas within the West Philippine Sea. The aim of these exercises is to strengthen joint capabilities to defend territory and protect maritime areas.

"He was really interested in the Balikatan. But I hesitated, so I withheld the information because I realized these involve sensitive details, such as the coordinates of the deployments," Danny said.

Danny was apprehended in June 2025. He claimed that his handler had offered to have him smuggled out of the country after the government became aware of their operation.

"I got scared about what they could do with me because I am aware they are a large organization," he added.

According to Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy chief, the apprehension of Danny and his colleagues involved a meticulous intelligence operation.

"The arrest of these three was a very complicated operation. It took thousands of man-hours, and we had to conduct extensive surveillance on their activities," he said.

Since then, Danny has remained in the custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at a secure military facility.

The AFP has identified "Peter" as a Chinese national who entered the Philippines in December 2024. A counter-intelligence operation in 2025 reportedly attempted to lure him back into the country.

"Peter warned me that meeting him again could be dangerous. Perhaps he already sensed that I was in AFP custody," Danny said.

The AFP has also warned the public to exercise caution when offered jobs or research opportunities by foreign individuals posing as journalists or researchers.

Some of the supposed red flags include offers of payment for information readily available online, excessive generosity or extra payment, and the use of unusual programs or applications to transmit sensitive data.—MCG, GMA Integrated News