Chinese national, 2 Filipinos arrested for unauthorized foreign surveillance

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated on Tuesday that a Chinese national and his two Filipino associates, recently arrested, were involved in unauthorized foreign intelligence surveillance.

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, confirmed that confiscated equipment from the suspects contained detailed maps of critical infrastructure, including military and police camps.

Padilla emphasized that the data collected is genuine and not fabricated, stressing the seriousness of the matter for national security reasons.

The spokesperson highlighted that the investigation was based on empirical evidence rather than hearsay, underscoring the need to strengthen existing espionage laws in the country.

On January 17, the National Bureau of Investigation apprehended the suspects at a condominium in Makati City and seized items including a Toyota SUV equipped with locator and mapping devices capable of pinpointing coordinates accurately.

The wife of the arrested Chinese citizen denied her husband's involvement in espionage activities but Padilla stated that the AFP is relying on evidence-based results from the investigation.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said his department is also looking into information on Li Duan Wang, a Chinese citizen linked to an alleged boss of a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.