Gatchalian pushes for stronger anti-espionage laws amid foreign threat

Senator Win Gatchalian is advocating for stronger anti-espionage laws in the Philippines to counter covert foreign operations and digital intrusion.

The call follows Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro's confirmation of foreign actors exploiting national security vulnerabilities.

Gatchalian highlighted that current laws are insufficient to address modern espionage, citing examples like the exploitation of late birth registrations, as seen in the Alice Guo case.

He stressed the need for legislative amendments to update national security safeguards for the digital age.

This initiative comes amid recent arrests of foreign nationals involved in alleged surveillance activities on critical infrastructure.