DFA provides lawyer for Filipinos detained in China

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.

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega confirmed that they are strongly requesting Chinese authorities to allow the lawyer to visit the detained nationals in Hainan.

De Vega also denied the espionage allegations, suggesting it might be a case of mistaken identity with the individuals possibly just taking photos.

The DFA official mentioned that the case is not new and the individuals have been detained for months, with China only recently disclosing their names.

The National Security Council previously questioned the espionage charges, suggesting coerced confessions and possibly retaliation for the arrest of Chinese spies in the Philippines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has not yet received official reports regarding the arrest.