Tovic Salvador

NBI arrests 5 Chinese nationals suspected of espionage

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173814779880020210114-nbi-marker-jc-3-ig.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) marker in this photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation has arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of espionage in Palawan and in Manila, the bureau said.</div><p>The NBI said the suspects arrested in Palawan had set up CCTV cameras facing the sea.</p><p>One of the suspects was also recorded taking a video of Philippine Coast Guard ships, which authorities believe was part of their spying activities.  </p><p>The NBI declined to disclose additional details, including what those arrested in Manila allegedly did.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/29/expect-more-arrests-after-suspected-chinese-spy-nabbed-nsc-1434">Expect more arrests after suspected Chinese spy nabbed – NSC</a></div><div><strong>NSC SAYS MORE ARRESTS TO BE MADE</strong></div><p>Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya of the National Security Council earlier Wednesday said that two of the suspects had identified themselves as tourists from Taiwan.</p><p>He also said authorities are still looking into whether the five suspects are linked to Deng Yuanqing, a Chinese national arrested last week for alleged espionage activities on police and military camps, airports and seaports, and other vital infrastructure.</p><p>China claims a large part of the South China Sea, including the part within the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>China&#x27;s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea has led to increased engagement between the Philippines and the US, including allowing US troops access to some Armed Forces of the Philippines facilities. This, in turn, has added to tension in the region.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/20/1-chinese-national-2-filipino-cohorts-arrested-for-alleged-espionage-1430">Chinese national, 2 Filipino &#x27;cohorts&#x27; arrested for alleged espionage</a></div><p>“We have ramped up our counter-intelligence operations, all government agencies are looking closely at this issue so that we can unravel and disrupt their surveillance operations in the Philippines,” Malaya said.</p><p>“Given the extent of the investigation being done by the government right now, marami tayong nahuhuli at marami pa tayong mahuhuli sa mga susunod na araw (we have made many arrests, and we will make more arrests in the coming days.” </p><p>China, in response to Deng&#x27;s arrest, said the Philippines should stop &quot;chasing shadows&quot; and &quot;peddling&quot; the narrative of espionage and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/23/china-to-ph-stop-shadow-chasing-protect-rights-of-chinese-nationals-1038">&quot;earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals&quot;</a> in the country instead. </p><div><strong>— from a report by Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News</strong></div><div><a href="http://AFP backs findings on alleged Chinese spy despite wife&#x27;s denial">AFP backs findings on alleged Chinese spy despite wife&#x27;s denial</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2aSadtZw7Hw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>One of the suspects was recorded taking a video of Philippine Coast Guard ships, which authorities believe was part of their spying activities.</p>

One of the suspects was recorded taking a video of Philippine Coast Guard ships, which authorities believe was part of their spying activities.