In a recent development, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has called for the rapid approval of a bill designed to overhaul the nation’s anti-espionage laws. This call to action comes in the wake of reports about the arrest of alleged Chinese spies, highlighting the need for updated legal frameworks to combat modern espionage techniques.
Estrada’s Senate Bill No. 2368, introduced in July 2023, seeks to revise Commonwealth Act No. 616 and the Revised Penal Code. The proposed changes aim to broaden the scope of what constitutes espionage and introduce harsher penalties, including life imprisonment and increased fines.
Emphasizing the importance of national security, Estrada stated, ‘As a legislator and staunch advocate of national security, I recognize the urgent need to modernize and strengthen our laws to address emerging threats to our sovereignty and security.’ He also noted the necessity of further information to be reviewed by the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security before finalizing the bill.
Estrada underscored the importance of balancing national security with the constitutional rights of citizens, saying, ‘It is imperative that we strike a balance between safeguarding national security and upholding the constitutional rights of our people.’ He assured that the initiative aims to enhance national defenses while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
The urgency of updating the anti-espionage law was further echoed by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who stressed the need for immediate action following the arrest of a Chinese national accused of espionage and amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The National Security Council has also urged lawmakers to swiftly pass amendments that would impose stricter penalties on those engaged in espionage activities, reflecting a broad consensus on the need for stronger legal measures to protect national security.