MANILA — The National Security Council on Saturday cast doubts on “confessions” made by Filipinos arrested in China on espionage charges, saying this only raised more questions than answers as the statements appeared to be fabricated.

In a statement, NSC Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the video released by Chinese media showing their confessions “notably portrayed China in a positive light.

Other government agencies mentioned by the Filipinos in the video, Malaya said, also do not exist.

‘Intensyon lang mag-aral, makatulong sa pamilya’: Palawan official says 3 Pinoys detained in China not spies

“There was also mention of a ‘Philippine Intelligence Agency’ or ‘Philippine Spy Intelligence Services’ which is a non-existing government agency. The ‘confessions’ appear to be scripted, strongly suggesting that they were not made freely,” he said.

“Given the limited information released by Chinese media, the arrests can be seen as a retaliation for the series of legitimate arrests of Chinese agents and accomplices by Philippine law enforcement and counter-intelligence agencies in recent months,” he added

The arrests were made last October, according to an official of Palawan province, who said the Filipinos' families had lost contact with them back then.

Aside from this, Malaya reminded the Chinese government that the Filipinos were scholars in an agreement forged under a sisterhood relationship between Palawan and Hainan.

“They are ordinary Filipino citizens with no military training who merely went to China at the invitation of the Chinese government to study. They are law-abiding citizens with no criminal records and were vetted and screened by the Chinese government prior to their arrival there,” he said.

HOSTAGED BY CHINESE GOV’T?

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Professor Renato de Castro, an international relations expert at the De La Salle University, said the three Filipinos were being held “hostage.”

“I doubt it that the Armed Forces of the Philippines or even the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency conduct foreign intelligence operations that are primarily clandestine in operation. We don’t have the capability, our intelligence agency is focused on domestic intelligence operation,” De Castro said in a phone interview.

“We simply do not have the need. We are not capable. What will we get in conducting intelligence operations? We are simply on a defensive, plus the issue there is evidence,” he added.

De Castro said the Chinese government might want the gadgets seized through alleged Chinese intelligence operatives arrested here in the Philippines in exchange for these people.

“We have their equipment for forensic examinations… indicate that they are actively engaged in foreign espionage activities. They would arrest and detain innocent Filipinos so they could exchange them for alleged Chinese intelligence operatives who were arrested with overwhelming evidence,” he said.

This was why the Philippines should issue an advisory to Filipino travelers in China to remind them to be vigilant while there.

NSC said the safety of these people would be their top priority.

DFA: Consulate assisting 3 Filipinos detained by China for alleged spying

“We urge the Chinese government to respect their rights and afford them every opportunity to clear their names in the same way that the rights of Chinese nationals are respected here in the Philippines,” NSC said.

“We urge the Filipino people to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of these accusations. Let us stand united in our commitment to truth, justice, and adherence to international law, while prioritizing the well-being of our citizens abroad,” it added.

On Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV reported that authorities had identified one of the suspected spies as a Philippine national who had lived and worked in China long-term and had been found conducting espionage near military facilities.

The CCTV report included a video of his arrest and what appeared to be a recorded confession.

He was recruited by Philippine intelligence services to "take advantage of his long-term residence in China to conduct espionage activities in China and collect sensitive information, especially on military deployment", state media said.

He came close to military facilities multiple times and "conducted close observation and secret photography", CCTV added.