DFA takes foreign espionage threats seriously amid Chinese national's arrest

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is taking indications of foreign espionage operations seriously and is prepared to collaborate with other government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation.

This statement follows the arrest of a Chinese national, Deng Yuanqing, and two Filipinos in Makati City, who were allegedly found with sophisticated mapping equipment.

The NBI has filed an espionage complaint against the suspects in connection with cybercrime before the Department of Justice.

The arrested Chinese national is believed to be connected to China's People's Liberation Army and has been operating in the Philippines for approximately five years.

AFP Chief of Staff Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. stated the recovered equipment could have been used for military targeting purposes, capable of creating three-dimensional images for guided missile systems.

The suspects reportedly visited Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites of the Philippines and the United States, and the Chinese national is accused of conducting surveillance from northern Luzon to the Bicol region.

The Chinese government, through its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, has stated that it asks Chinese nationals overseas to abide by local laws and regulations.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez found a timely push for the two anti-espionage bills he filed in the House of Representatives that seek to penalize spies.