Jamaine Punzalan

Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, 2018 ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit in the country. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Flying the Chinese flag

Izzy Lee

Michael Delizo

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177277531477620181119-chinese-flag-xi-jinping-state-visit-MD-8750.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, 2018 ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping&#x27;s state visit in the country. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><div> </div><p>MANILA — The National Security Council said on Friday that some sensitive information leaked following the apprehension of individuals allegedly spying for China did not pose a serious threat to Philippine national security.</p><p>“May mga sensitive information pero di naman ganun kataas, wala namang threat na information na naka-disclose,” National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said.</p><p>“May mga ibang sensitive katulad sa mga schedule ng mga RORE (rotation and resupply missions), before may mga ilang mga usapan na nagiging internal na nakalabas pero walang damage sa ating national security,” he said. </p><p>Año said he could not disclose further details but assured the public that authorities were doing everything they can to address the situation.</p><p>&quot;We cannot divuldge the course that we have undertaken, may mga ongoing investigation. That, I can assure the public na everything has been checked and titignan nating lahat,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;This is national security matter at sisiguraduhin naman natin na hindi magiging tagumpay ang espionage effort nila satin,&quot; he said.</p><p>He said that the ongoing investigation was a collective effort among various intelligence agencies of the Philippine government and noted that some of the activities uncovered date back several years.</p><p>&quot;Ang ibang nadiskubre namin ay few years back. May mga tinitignan pa kaming mga for investigation,&quot; he said.</p><p>Año reminded the public, especially government employees, to be vigilant and cautious when receiving job offers and recruitment attempts.</p><p>&quot;Nananawagan tayo sa ating mga kababayan lalong lalo na sa mga empleyado ng ating pamahalaaan na dapat maging mapagbantay kayo, tignan niyo &#x27;yung mga job offers na sinasabi diyan, yan magsisimula hanggang sa mapupunta ka na lang sa isang sitwasyon na isa ka na sa ginagawang spy,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung iba pang ina-attempt na i-recurit diyan, magsabi kayo agad sa inyong mga respective superior upang matulungan natin ang inyong kalagayan,&quot; he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘CASE CLOSED’ </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Philippine Navy on Friday said the case was considered closed, noting that the trio have been placed under military control and have since been cooperative.</p><p>“Itong tatlo, kaya namin nailabas ito is because the case is now considered closed,” Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said. </p><p>“Nilalabas natin ito…para malaman ng taong bayan, number 1. Number 2, para malaman ng adversary natin kung anong ginagawa ng mga tao nila,” he said in a telephone conference. </p><p>(We were able to disclose this case involving the three because it is now considered closed. We are disclosing this so that the public will know, first. Second, so that our adversary will know what their people are doing.)</p><p>Trinidad said it was crucial to terminate the individuals’ operations as sensitive information within the organization could cause damage if it falls into the wrong hands.</p><p>“It could even put the lives of our men and women at risk,” he said. “In general, all classified information hindi dapat mapunta sa hindi unauthorized na tao o office.” </p><p>(In general, all classified information should not end up with unauthorized persons or offices.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘WAKE-UP CALL’ </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/nsc-three-filipinos-detained-for-alleged-espionage-have-confessed-1535">apprehension of the three Filipinos</a> over Chinese-linked espionage activities was “a wake-up call for us to be extra-careful and to sustain the efforts in instilling professionalism in the organization that is anchored on patriotism and loyalty to our country and its people.” </p><p>PNP chief Pgen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police organization was “taking proactive steps to ensure that all the information that includes efforts and plans relating to peace and order and national security are protected.”</p><p>“We have been doing our best to insulate the PNP from any form of foreign interference or recruitment,” Nartatez said in a statement. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/ph-has-uncovered-and-stopped-malign-activities-linked-to-china-nsc-2030">PH has uncovered and stopped &#x27;malign activities&#x27; linked to China — NSC</a></div><p>The PNP chief said the organization had neutralized the local espionage network but stressed that authorities should remain alert against similar threats.</p><p>To further bolster security, the PNP said it was coordinating closely with the NSC and other intelligence agencies to enhance information sharing and monitoring.</p><p>The police force has also set up a confidential reporting mechanism for its members to report suspicious activities within the organization.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/ph-navy-flags-espionage-trend-after-arrests-of-suspected-chinese-spies-1422">PH Navy flags &#x27;espionage trend&#x27; after arrests of suspected Chinese spies</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/3/china-claims-philippines-fabricated-cases-of-chinese-spies-1936">China claims Philippines &#x27;fabricated&#x27; cases of Chinese spies</a></div><div><iframe width="725" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ebAoygQUwFs" title="3 naarestong Pinoy umaming nang-eespiya para sa China | TV Patrol" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The National Security Council said on Friday that some sensitive information leaked following the apprehension of individuals allegedly spying for China did not pose a serious threat to Philippine national security.</p>

The National Security Council said on Friday that some sensitive information leaked following the apprehension of individuals allegedly spying for China did not pose a serious threat to Philippine national security.

NSC: Leaked information from alleged China spies poses no serious threat

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NSC: Leaked information from alleged China spies poses no serious threat

Izzy Lee,

Michael Delizo,

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 06, 2026 01:38 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 06, 2026 02:01 PM PHT

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