NSC: Chinese national arrested for espionage, more arrests expected

An official from the National Security Council stated that more arrests are expected in the coming days following the arrest of a Chinese national suspected of espionage.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said during a forum that the government has substantial evidence against Deng Yuanqing, who was arrested alongside two Filipinos for alleged activities targeting critical infrastructure like military camps and airports.

Malaya emphasized that surveillance revealed suspicious behavior by the suspect at significant strategic locations, and he was caught 'red-handed' with surveillance equipment.

The official noted an increase in counter-intelligence operations across various government agencies to combat foreign surveillance in the Philippines, including the arrests of two Taiwanese nationals for suspicious behavior near a Philippine Coast Guard ship in Palawan.

Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio highlighted the need to update criminal laws related to national security following these arrests.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines stressed the importance of public vigilance and reporting any suspicious individuals or activities.