The National Security Council (NSC) called on Congress to expedite the passage of amendments to the Espionage Act and other critical legislation aimed at countering evolving security threats in the country.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año made the appeal following the arrest of a Chinese national and two Filipino accomplices accused of engaging in surveillance, espionage, and intelligence-gathering activities in the Philippines.
“In light of these developments, we urge Congress to prioritize the passage of the amendments to the Espionage Act as well as the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence bill,” Año stated on Tuesday.
“Strengthening our legal framework is essential to effectively address evolving security threats and to ensure that those who seek to compromise our national security will face the full force of the law,” he added.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros issued similar views, adding the continuing presence of China’s so-called ‘monster ship,’ threatening anew the livelihood of fishermen and our national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“The Senate must immediately enhance our existing Anti-Espionage Law,” she said in statement. Hontiveros raised concerns about national security, citing the increasing presence of Chinese nationals in the country without proper immigration checks.
The senator also referenced ongoing Senate investigations into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), where Alice Guo, who was labeled an “agent of influence” by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) by a self-confessed Chinese spy.
“I trust that the DND, together with other relevant agencies, is on top of this matter. We have to take this seriously for the sake of our national security, our national interest, our sovereignty,” Hontiveros said.
Año also emphasized the importance of public vigilance and coordination with authorities. “We reaffirm our commitment to working closely with all instrumentalities of government and stakeholders to strengthen our national security and protect the welfare of the Filipino people,” he noted.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad flagged concerns about potential foreign mapping of the Philippines. Speaking during the latest military briefing, Trinidad highlighted a pattern of incidents that suggest a calculated effort by foreign powers.
“If you look at the entire expanse of the country, covering the different instruments of national power and start connecting the dots, there seems now to be a deliberate and calculated move to map out the country by a foreign power,” he said without elaborating.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is taking appropriate actions regarding this matter. Año also reiterated the government’s commitment to countering espionage and other malign operations that threaten critical infrastructure, defense facilities, and national security.