In response to the recent apprehension of a Chinese national and two Filipino accomplices suspected of espionage, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced plans to intensify security measures across all military installations nationwide. The announcement came from AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Manila.
The trio, identified as Chinese national Deng Yuanqing and Filipinos Ronel Jojo Balundo Besa and Jason Amado Fernandez, were caught with a sports utility vehicle equipped with surveillance devices. They were arrested in front of a condominium in Makati City on the night of January 17, 2025.
According to Jeremy Lotoc, head of the NBI’s Office of the Cybercrime Division, Deng Yuanqing is a specialist in control engineering and automation, affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army University of Science and Technology in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Gen. Brawner emphasized the need for heightened security not only within military camps but also around critical infrastructure. He noted the sudden emergence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) near Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, suggesting a possible link to espionage activities.
Further investigations revealed that the confiscated equipment contained images of key military sites, including Fort Bonifacio, Camp Aguinaldo, and Camp Crame. These findings prompted a thorough forensic analysis to uncover any additional connections to the intercepted RAV-4 vehicle.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed ongoing operations to apprehend other members of the espionage group, underscoring the government’s commitment to safeguarding national security.