NSC alarmed over arrest of 3 Filipinos in China on espionage charges

The National Security Council (NSC) expressed alarm on Saturday, April 5, over the arrest of three Filipino nationals in China for suspected espionage.

Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya noted that Chinese media released an edited video showing alleged 'confessions' by the arrested Filipinos, which raises more questions than answers and appears to be scripted.

The individuals are ordinary citizens with no military training or criminal records who were vetted and screened by Chinese authorities prior to their arrival under the Hainan Government Scholarship Program established between Hainan and Palawan provinces.

Malacañang on Monday, April 7, said there was still 'no concrete evidence' that China's detention of these Filipinos is in retaliation for recent arrests of Chinese nationals accused of spying in the Philippines.

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine embassy in Beijing, continues to coordinate closely to ensure legal support and due process for the arrested individuals.

Professor Renato de Castro from De La Salle University suggested that the arrests might be a retaliation for recent legitimate arrests of Chinese agents and accomplices in the Philippines, but this remains unverified.