China said yesterday it had “destroyed” an intelligence network set up by the Philippine espionage agency and arrested three spies from the country even as Philippine authorities announced the arrest of 12 Chinese nationals for possession of firearms and ammunition.
The announcement comes as the two countries continue to confront each other over disputed territory in the South China Sea and tensions mount over the Philippines’ security ties with ally the United States.
At least five Chinese nationals were arrested on suspicion of espionage in January and another two in February by Philippine authorities.
And the latest arrests in China come two days after Beijing’s embassy in Manila issued a travel warning to its citizens about frequent “harassment” from Philippine law enforcement agencies.
On Wednesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said 12 Chinese nationals were arrested in raids on three places in an exclusive subdivision in Muntinlupa City.
The NBI agents seized five pistols, along with magazines and ammunition in the first location. They recovered four pistols with magazines and ammunition, two Taser guns, three bulletproof vests, tactical knives, a kitchen knife, handcuffs, and identification cards in the second site.
On the third target place, the agents seized a pistol with a magazine and ammunition, tactical gear for pistols, and identification cards. Two vehicles were also seized by authorities.
They were charged with violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported that authorities had identified one of the suspected spies as a Philippine national who had lived and worked in China long-term and had been found conducting espionage near military facilities.
The CCTV report included a video of his arrest and what appeared to be a recorded confession.
He was recruited by Philippine intelligence services to “take advantage of his long-term residence in China to conduct espionage activities in China and collect sensitive information, especially on military deployment,” state media said.
He came close to military facilities multiple times and “conducted close observation and secret photography,” CCTV added.
Meanwhile, National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the country’s foreign ministry was “currently confirming these reports and the involvement of any Philippine national, if any.”
“We have no further comment as of this time until we are able to verify these new reports,” he added.
Col. Margaret Padilla, armed forces spokesperson, said the military “has not received any official report regarding the alleged espionage claims.”
“We defer to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is currently verifying the situation through appropriate diplomatic channels,” she said in a statement.
The three individuals had been recruited by the same Philippine spy since 2021 and received regular payment for their work, CCTV said.
They were also tasked with “assisting the Philippine spy intelligence agency in selecting and developing personnel, and expanding its intelligence network in China.”
They had provided “a large amount of military-related and confidential video materials” to Philippine agents, “causing serious harm to China’s national security and interests,” CCTV quoted a Chinese national security officer as saying.
Asked about the charges, Beijing’s foreign ministry said it would “handle the cases in accordance with the law and will also safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant personnel.”
But spokesman Guo Jiakun also accused Manila of having “fabricated several so-called Chinese espionage cases.”
“China urges the Philippines to stop chasing shadows and pinning labels on people,” Guo said. With AFP
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “China arrests three Filipinos suspected of spying”