“There was also the arrest of former military pilots from the US and UK for teaching Chinese pilots how to land planes on aircraft carriers”
In the past couple of weeks, social media had been awash with postings about the presence of Chinese sleeper cells in the country.
This was partly due to the arrest of a couple of Chinese nationals with two Filipinos working for them in an exclusive subdivision in the Metro Manila area.
Confiscated during the search of the rented house were documents and some high powered firearms, suggesting the group might be up to something harmful to the interest of the country.
Given what has been happening between us and China since PBBM assumed office, it would be surprising if there are no Chinese spy cells already operating in the country.
As they say in the intelligence community, even friends spy on each other.
So, we should assume there are Chinese intelligence operations going on here.
The question is, are our government agencies charged to counter and monitor such activities up to the job? Have these groups been pinpointed and are they being monitored?
The Chinese embassy, of course, issued its obligatory denial but such denials should only be taken with a grain of salt.
This is because all over the world today, intelligence information gathering is a fact of life.
For instance, shouldn’t our Retirement Authority consider it unusual that many Chinese nationals of military age are availing themselves of our Special Resident Retiree’s Visa program?
Knowing very well that Chinese people of working age are very industrious and all want to become rich, it is somewhat mystifying that they have retired at a very early age and are just enjoying themselves here.
There was also the aggressive effort to acquire that vacated Korean shipyard in Subic which is close to a naval facility of ours.
Then there is that area in Clark which is also close to our Air Force Base that a Chinese company wanted to lease.
There seems to be an unusual interest by Chinese companies to acquire real estate near our military bases and facilities.
Fortunately, there were quick thinking officials from the government who issued warnings that basically blocked all these attempts.
All we have to do is read a page on what happened to the country preceding the Second World War. Japan in the late 1930s sent many so-called fifth columns masquerading as immigrants to the country but were members of the Japanese military to gather vital information both military and socio-political. When war did come, all that these spies had to do was put on their Japanese military uniforms and easily joined the invading forces.
But before we start overreacting, let us bear in mind that espionage activities are going on in almost all countries of consequence like the United States, China, Australia or Canada but does not necessarily mean that the country collecting intelligence is already preparing for war.
The trick is to be vigilant and be on top of the situation so that we are not caught flatfooted when something happens.
We should also assume there will be some Filipinos who will be willing to sell their country for 30 pieces of silver.
This is sometimes manifested by those corrupt government officials providing escort and protection services to aliens.
The unfortunate thing is there will always be traitors in our midst and this is why we should not only be vigilant about foreigners wanting to do our country harm but also about our own people who are partnering with them.
As social media have been trying to point out, there are already some of us who are willing and able to parrot the side of China on the West Philippines Sea issue in the guise of discussing objectively the WPS but actually propagating the side of China.
Vigilance takes many forms.
In the intelligence arena, there is such a thing as counter intelligence efforts wherein our intelligence agencies can mount activities to negate what the other side is doing.
This includes recruiting so-called assets to also work for us.
We just have to be smart, capable and resourceful.
We often read about cases like this in the media.
The latest that I came across was about a Canadian citizen arrested in Canada for selling prohibited items to a sanctioned country.
There was also the arrest of former military pilots from the US and UK for teaching Chinese pilots how to land planes on aircraft carriers.
One of the things the administration has done was to radically change the way we react every time the Chinese Coast Guard and its militia ships interfere with our supply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoals by aggressively blocking our supply ships.
Instead of the quiet diplomacy and diplomatic protests, we are now letting the world know about what is happening, complete with videos of what has happened.
We have in fact been able to somewhat change the narrative.
There are now more countries taking our side compared to about a year ago.
We can always expect the Chinese Ministry spokesperson telling us to stop creating trouble but more people and countries around the world now understand and know the real score.
Last week Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida came for an official visit and was given the red carpet treatment, including an address to the joint Houses of Congress.
He and PBBM agreed to fast track the so-called Reciprocal Access Agreement which will be the first in Asia.
It does look like the visit paid off handsomely with the announcement of five more 97-meter Coast Guard patrol ships to be provided to us along with more advanced radar equipment to better monitor our maritime zone.
If the RAA negotiations can be concluded at the soonest possible time, our military agreements would increase to three with the United States and Australia.
Will Canada and the UK follow?
In the end, however, we must be careful in navigating the WPS issue by not over hyping it and simply state the facts, no more no less.
We are not looking for trouble but we are obligated to do whatever is necessary to protect our interests.
Our strongest card is that we have the law on our side.