In a bold move to safeguard national security, the Philippines has arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of espionage. The arrests, which took place across various locations including Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, and Dumaguete City, were showcased by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Pasay City on January 30, 2025. The operation was attended by high-ranking officials such as Department of Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, NBI Director Jaime Santiago, and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
The National Security Council emphasized the government’s dedication to national protection following the arrests. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated that these operations highlight the necessity for ongoing vigilance and proactive counterintelligence to thwart espionage attempts. He assured the public that security and intelligence units would continue to enhance their efforts in counterintelligence and monitoring to bolster national security.
The suspects were allegedly involved in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities within the country. Authorities discovered military-grade and high-resolution video cameras, disguised as civilian CCTV, among the possessions of the suspects. These individuals were reportedly conducting aerial reconnaissance and gathering imagery intelligence on Philippine naval assets, particularly around Ulugan Bay and Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Palawan, as well as monitoring Coast Guard stations and naval docks. Año stressed the gravity of these activities, calling for a robust and coordinated response to such threats.