A security analyst warned Thursday that a well-funded Chinese spy network has expanded its presence across the Philippines—from Batanes to Sulu—with the intent of influencing the 2028 presidential elections.
Chester Cabalza, a noted security expert, said Beijing’s espionage activities in the country have persisted due to ongoing issues such as the West Philippine Sea dispute and the operations of illegal gambling syndicates.
He added that Chinese operatives are expected to attempt to sway the results of the 2028 presidential race.
“They are betting who will be our next president. They will pour out campaign funds, so they can influence our foreign and security policies,” he said in an interview.
Cabalza said Chinese sleeper agents have tried to penetrate critical institutions including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Some spies can speak Filipino and would sometimes join Chinese Filipino communities in order to assimilate and integrate to critical institutions, he said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier raised alarm over the presence of Chinese “sleeper agents” and operatives from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), saying they are already embedded in the Philippines to conduct espionage.
He cited reports of Chinese nationals arrested for suspected spying in several locations, including Palawan, Makati, Dumaguete, and even sensitive areas such as Camp Aguinaldo, the Commission on Elections office in Manila, and Malacañang.
“They have a vast network because they are deeply funded. Secondly, we know that distrust and mistrust in our relationship with China is very high. Naturally, they would send spies. The problem is – we have an archaic, very old, obsolete, espionage law way back World War 2,” Cabalza said.
He urged authorities to do deep background checks on individuals trying to join institutions such as the PCG Auxiliary, after it delisted 36 individuals, who were found to have “shaky” citizenship or identified as Chinese nationals.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. last year warned that China is infiltrating key sectors in the Philippines—including education, business, media, and local government—using its “United Front Works” strategy.
“They are slowly entering our country and trying to influence various sectors in our society, including the education sector, business, even the media, and local government units,” Brawner said.
