Inquirer
Tolentino: Drones, espionage just tip of the iceberg, affront to Filipinos
Senator Francis Tolentino stated that the recent discovery of submersible drones and the foiling of foreign espionage activities in the Philippines are part of a "determined, continuous, and pervasive assault" on Filipinos and Philippine institutions from the People's Republic of China.
During a Senate hearing, Tolentino presented the recent incidents as evidence of a larger, ongoing espionage campaign by China.
He emphasized that the current situation represents an unprecedented level of spying against the Philippines, suggesting it has occurred repeatedly.
Tolentino noted that individuals caught secretly collecting information about the country bear the hallmarks of espionage.
He stressed that investigations point to the People's Republic of China as responsible for these activities.
The senator added that this wave of Chinese espionage is "just the tip of the iceberg."
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News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
Senator Francis Tolentino accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of funding a disinformation campaign in the Philippines through Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc., allegedly hiring Filipino "keyboard warriors" to shape public opinion.
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Senator Francis Tolentino expressed concern over unmanned underwater drones retrieved by fishermen in Philippine waters.
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Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. questioned the allegations of espionage against three Filipinos arrested in China, asking about their capability and interest in spying on China.
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A Chinese national, Tak Hoi Lao, was apprehended near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila with alleged spy devices, including an IMSI catcher, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file charges of espionage and violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
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A Philippine senator indicated that a public relations firm contracted by the Chinese Embassy may be summoned to a Senate hearing.
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