Marilyn Cahatol

‘Mission nila’: Chinese sleeper agents meant to gather info on PH politics — analyst

Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit in the country. Xi will be visiting the country from November 20 to 21. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Chinese sleeper agents are allegedly in the Philippines to study and learn local politics, an analyst said, as he warned they would interfere with the national elections three years from now.</p><p>Prof. Chester Cabalza, founding president of think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said Chinese espionage operations have been in the country for quite some time.</p><p>He said the row with China over the West Philippine Sea and the existence of illegal gambling operators are among the reasons for their presence in the country.</p><p>But more than these, they are here to gather information on Philippine politics and possibly influence the outcome of the 2028 elections.</p><p>He said espionage in local politics could lead to influence in Philippine policy.</p><p>“Naturally, ang mission naman talaga nila intindihin ang politika natin. Para madali sa kanila kung paano impluwensyahan tayo at makuha ang loob ng mga Pilipino,” he said.</p><p>(Naturally, their mission is to study our politics so it will be easier for them to influence us and win over Filipinos)</p><p>He said the alleged sleeper agents are “not only looking at the strategic implications in the West Philippine Sea&quot; but also &quot;strategic foresight&quot; for the 2028 elections.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/28/chinese-spies-to-pour-campaign-funds-during-2028-presidential-elections-analyst-1412"><strong>Chinese spies to pour campaign funds during 2028 presidential election - analyst</strong></a></div><p>These sleeper agents, he said might be posing as tourists and students and look like “ordinary people.”</p><p>He said that it is easy for them to blend in because “we allow everyone to go to the country.”</p><p>He said that authorities have managed to detect and arrest some alleged spies, but  “they are all over our country.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Philippine Navy RAdm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, they continue to help different law enforcement agencies regarding the matter.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/29/palace-ph-gov-t-actively-monitoring-security-threats-amid-alleged-chinese-sleeper-agents-1649"><strong>Palace: PH gov&#x27;t actively monitoring security threats amid alleged Chinese &#x27;sleeper agents&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>He said the military is helping watch out for foreigners &quot;getting information through legal means.&quot; </p><p>Malacañang on Friday said that the government is &quot;actively monitoring and addressing&quot; security threats following reports that alleged Chinese sleeper agents have infiltrated the country.</p><p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, quoting the National Security Council, said authorities are working to dismantle espionage networks in the country.</p><p>Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier alleged the presence of Chinese “sleeper agents” and Chinese People’s Liberation Army spies operating in the country, including in areas near critical government offices such as the Commission on Elections and Malacañang Palace.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/27/-network-of-espionage-operations-must-be-dismantled-lacson-1549"><strong>&#x27;Network of espionage operations&#x27; must be dismantled: Lacson</strong></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/5CFOv62m75U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Chinese sleeper agents are meant to study and learn Philippine politics, as an analyst warned they would interfere with the national elections three years from now.</p>

Chinese sleeper agents are meant to study and learn Philippine politics, as an analyst warned they would interfere with the national elections three years from now.