Philippine authorities have arrested a Chinese national and two Filipino accomplices for allegedly engaging in espionage activities, Bloomberg reports.
The arrests come amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China.
According to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago, the Chinese national, a software engineer, was apprehended on January 17. Jeremy Lotoc, head of the NBI’s cybercrime division, said that the case involved “intelligence surveillance and operations perpetrated by a group of Chinese nationals [and] local cohorts.”
Authorities revealed that the suspects were utilizing a vehicle equipped with sophisticated spying technology, including a device capable of creating 3D images of “target infrastructure” and a navigational satellite system. Lotoc further explained that the group had been frequently observed near “critical infrastructure, specifically military camps, local government offices, power plants, police camps, stations, even shopping malls.”
The Chinese embassy in Manila has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the arrests.
The recent arrests follow a separate incident in December where the Philippine armed forces apprehended another Chinese individual, according to military chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. This individual was also found to be in possession of suspected spying equipment and photographs of army and police camps, which were discovered within the suspect’s vehicle.
These incidents underscore the growing tensions between the Philippines and China, particularly related to the long-standing maritime dispute in the South China Sea. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a firm stance against China’s expansive claims in the region, a move that has further strained relations with Beijing.
The arrests also follow a recent incident involving Chinese state-sponsored hackers who had allegedly penetrated the Philippines’ executive branch, stealing sensitive government data in a campaign spanning several years. While China’s foreign ministry has denied these claims, stating that Beijing consistently opposes all forms of hacking and cyberattacks, the incidents have heightened concerns about potential Chinese intelligence operations within the Philippines.
