Philippines apprehends Filipinos suspected of spying for China

One of the accused was a Defence Ministry staffer who said he wrote opinion stories in exchange for pay. Read more at straitstimes.com.

MANILA – The Philippine government said on March 4 it apprehended some of its citizens on suspicion of spying for China in a “serious national security matter” that underscores the need for stricter laws against espionage and foreign interference.

The authorities did not provide details about the case, including how many people were apprehended or whether charges were filed.

“The operations of these individuals acting on the behest of Chinese intelligence have been addressed and terminated,” the National Security Council (NSC) said in a statement.

“Necessary actions have been taken against the individuals concerned, all Filipino nationals, who have all confessed their complicity in espionage activities and are cooperating with authorities,” it added.

Relations between the Philippines and China have grown increasingly fraught amid repeated confrontations in the South China Sea, with both sides also engaging in an intensifying war of words that has played out on social media.

At least three Filipino nationals were involved, according to two security sources, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.