Gov’t probes China espionage activities after alleged spy arrest

Metro Manila, Philippines – Authorities have uncovered potential espionage activities targeting military facilities following the arrest of a Chinese national and two Filipino accomplices.

In a press briefing, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the alleged Chinese spy had been living in the country for an extended period and had successfully "blended in."

"We have a copy of his passport and we are verifying the details with the Bureau of Immigration. He has probably been here for about five years," said Jeremy Lotoc, head of the NBI Cybercrime Division.

"Yung galawan niya nasa normal lang kaya niya mag blend in sa iba't ibang grupo more or less five years na siya dito sa Pilipinas," he added.

[Translation: His movements appeared normal, which made it easy for him to integrate into various groups. He has been in the Philippines for around five years.]

Authorities said the operation involved sophisticated equipment to map out critical infrastructure across the country.

The alleged spy employed a device known as GNSS RTK (Global Navigation Satellite System Real-Time Kinematics), a technology typically for precise mapping, navigation, artillery targeting, and supply chain management.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner some activities of the suspect and his cohorts occurred near military sites.

"Very possible when we look at the areas that were the areas that this group went to nakita namin na EDCA sites yung iba so very possible that the coordinates and the topography continues for military purposes and military targeting purposes," Brawner said.

[Translation: It is very possible that some of the areas visited by this group were EDCA sites. Given this, it is likely that the coordinates and topography collected were intended for military and targeting purposes.]

"We are investigating the broader scope of China's espionage efforts," he added.

The Chinese national was identified as a graduate of a university that is controlled and operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Meanwhile, the Filipino accomplices were acting as the driver and guide.

Brawner said this was not the first instance of similar espionage activity on record.

"Last year, we also apprehended another Chinese individual who was driving a Toyota Innova that contained a similar set of equipment. We are currently conducting forensic analysis on the equipment," Brawner stated.

NBI chief Jaime Santiago said data gathered may have reached Chinese agencies.

"Possible na transmit na nila as soon as they get information na transmit na sila," Santiago said.

[Translation: It’s possible they transmitted the data as soon as they gathered the information]

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to issue a comment.