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PH Navy says 3 Filipinos were hired by foreign handlers for sensitive data on the West Philippine Sea. ABS-CBN News composite

Article (news)

Izzy Lee

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/1772785849159composites 2 (1) (4).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">PH Navy says 3 Filipinos were hired by foreign handlers for sensitive data on the West Philippine Sea. <em>ABS-CBN News composite</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A foreign entity recruited three Filipinos to gather sensitive information related to national security, particularly activities in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy revealed on Friday.</p><p>The three — one female and two males in their early to late 20s — are civilians and not members of the military, Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said.</p><p>The foreign entity reached out to the three Filipinos after posting their resumes on commercial job applications online, Trinidad said, and they were offered positions like researcher, columnist, or analyst.</p><p>The handlers communicated with them online and had accents that sounded British or Australian, he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/6/nsc-leaked-information-from-alleged-china-spies-poses-no-serious-threat-1338">NSC: Leaked information from alleged China spies poses no serious threat</a></div><p>After they agreed to cooperate, Trinidad said their handlers allegedly began directing them to collect information and write articles on topics such as Philippine Navy modernization programs, defense plans, and diplomatic initiatives.</p><p>&quot;They were asked to write articles, they were asked to take photographs of anything around, they were asked to forward e-mails if they have emails asking information that would compromise ongoing operation of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PCG (Philippine Coast Guard),&quot; he said.</p><p>Trinidad said the three were paid varying amounts depending on the assignment, with payments ranging from four to six digits in Philippine pesos, which were sent through online wallet platforms or food delivery apps that have wallet features.</p><p>&quot;No pattern would be the same sa paghahatid ng pera,&quot; he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ALLEGED INFO GATHERED</strong></div><p>The suspects were allegedly tasked with gathering information on Philippine defense activities, including the direction of the country’s defense diplomacy, the schedules of rotation and resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea, the names of personnel assigned to the naval vessel LS-57, and other details related to maritime operations and national security.</p><p>Trinidad said this could potentially put the lives of Philippine maritime personnel in danger, especially those in the West Philippine Sea conducting resupply missions.</p><p>He said that the case came to light in 2025 through the AFP&#x27;s Insider Threat Program, noting that the military traced the suspects&#x27; activities back to 2022 and 2023.</p><p>All three suspects are now under AFP custody and are undergoing legal procedures. &quot;They are all cooperative,&quot; Trinidad said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><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/ebAoygQUwFs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>A foreign entity recruited three Filipinos to gather sensitive information related to national security, particularly activities in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy revealed on Friday.</p>

A foreign entity recruited three Filipinos to gather sensitive information related to national security, particularly activities in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Navy revealed on Friday.

'4 to 6 digits' salary: 3 Filipinos hired by foreign handlers for sensitive data on West PH Sea

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'4 to 6 digits' salary: 3 Filipinos hired by foreign handlers for sensitive data on West PH Sea

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 06, 2026 04:49 PM PHT

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