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Chinese spies to pour campaign funds during 2028 presidential elections - analyst

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

A security analyst confirmed Thursday that a well-funded network of Chinese spies has spread all over the country from Batanes to Sulu, with an eye at influencing the outcome of the 2028 presidential election.Security analyst Chester Cabalza said Chinese espionage operations in the Philippines have been ongoing due to a host of issues including the territorial row in the West Philippine Sea and illegal gambling operators.He added he expects spies to try to influence the outcome of the 2028 presidential election.“Nagbe-bet din ‘yan kung sino ang magiging presidente natin. They will pour out campaign funds para maimpluwensiyahan &#x27;yung foreign and security policies natin,” he told DZMM.Cabalza said Chinese sleeper agents have tried to penetrate critical institutions including the Armed Forces and the Philippine Coast GuardSome spies can speak Filipino and would sometimes join Chinese Filipino communities in order to assimilate and integrate to critical institutions, he said.Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier warned Chinese &quot;sleeper agents&quot; and even operatives from China&#x27;s People&#x27;s Liberation Army (PLA) are already embedded in the Philippines to engage in espionage. He cited reports showing Chinese nationals had been arrested for suspected espionage in several areas of the country, including Palawan, Makati, Dumaguete, and even near Camp Aguinaldo, the Commission on Elections office in Manila, and Malacanang.“Malawak ‘yung kanilang network because they are deep funded. Secondly, alam naman natin our relationship with China is very high ‘yung distrust and mistrust. Naturally, they would send spies. The problem is - we have an archaic, very old, obsolete, espionage law way back World War 2,” Cabalza said.He urged authorities to do deep background checks on individuals trying to join institutions such as the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. This, after the PCG said it <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/27/pcg-tightens-vetting-of-auxiliary-members-after-discovering-chinese-nationals-in-roster-1524">delisted 36 individuals</a> who were found to have &quot;shaky&quot; citizenship or identified as Chinese nationals.

“Nagbe-bet din ‘yan kung sino ang magiging presidente natin. They will pour out campaign funds."

“Nagbe-bet din ‘yan kung sino ang magiging presidente natin. They will pour out campaign funds."

Chinese spies to pour campaign funds during 2028 presidential election - analyst

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Chinese spies to pour campaign funds during 2028 presidential election - analyst

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 28, 2025 02:12 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 28, 2025 02:26 PM PHT

Read More:

sleeper agents

spies

panfilo lacson

west philippine sea

halalan 2028

espionage

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