8 arrested for espionage, kidnapping on Grande Island; DND considers military reservation

Six foreign nationals and two Filipinos suspected of espionage and kidnapping were arrested on Grande Island in Subic Bay on Wednesday.

The Department of National Defense (DND) confirmed that the arrestees violated the Securities Regulation Code and Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, with Chinese national Ye Tianwu identified as having an arrest warrant under these laws.

Philippine authorities seized multiple cellphones, laptops, a firearm, and ammunition from those involved during the operation.

The DND suspects these activities are linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) and pose a serious threat to national security, noting that Grande Island offers strategic vantage points with clear views of key sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea.

Recovered items included one 9mm caliber firearm and 16 rounds of ammunition.

The DND is considering declaring Grande Island and Chiquita Island as military reservations to secure operations in the Subic Special Economic Zone and strengthen strategic presence along the western seaboard.