Rappler
Palace walks back NSC’s ‘retaliation’ claims against alleged Filipino spies nabbed in China
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to provide assistance to three Filipinos arrested in China on espionage charges.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that there is "no concrete evidence yet" if China's detention of the Filipinos was in retaliation for the arrest of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.
The National Security Council (NSC) previously claimed the arrests were retaliatory, citing the recent detentions of Chinese agents in the Philippines.
The NSC suspects reported confessions by Chinese media are fabricated and may be a retaliatory measure.
Chinese state media reported the individuals confessed and claimed to have gathered classified military information for a Philippine intelligence agency since 2021.
An international relations expert suggests the Filipinos might be held hostage by China, potentially for an exchange of alleged Chinese intelligence operatives arrested in the Philippines.
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Three Filipino nationals have been arrested in Beijing for allegedly gathering classified information on China's military for Philippine intelligence agencies.
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Malacañang has assured that all necessary assistance will be provided to three Filipinos arrested in China for alleged espionage, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro.
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The Philippines, through the DFA's legal assistance fund, has provided a local lawyer to defend three Filipinos detained in China and accused of spying.
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Malacañang assured China that the Philippines does not discriminate against any nationality while enforcing its laws against illegal activities.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered swift legal assistance for Filipinos facing criminal charges in China and South Korea, building on recent successful diplomatic efforts for OFWs in Qatar.
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