News Desk
MANILA — Philippine authorities have arrested multiple individuals suspected of conducting espionage, including alleged Chinese spies posing as Taiwanese tourists who were caught photographing military ships in Palawan, a province near the disputed South China Sea.
According to local media reports, the suspects stayed at a resort where they secretly recorded Philippine Coast Guard vessels entering and leaving a base. Witnesses claimed they also deployed drones without authorization and installed cameras in coconut trees to monitor ship movements.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Chinese vessels have repeatedly confronted Philippine forces.
Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed that images of military bases and ships were found on the suspects’ phones. One individual was reportedly caught on camera by local residents, though all the suspects denied wrongdoing.
Separately, on Jan. 17, authorities apprehended a Chinese national, identified as Deng, along with two Filipino accomplices in Makati, Metro Manila. Investigators say Deng was found driving around Manila and Luzon island with surveillance equipment, allegedly gathering intelligence on sensitive buildings and military installations.
Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya stated that authorities had a “solid” case against Deng, adding that he was caught “red-handed.” A nationwide search is now underway for possible accomplices.
Deng’s wife and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines have rejected the allegations, dismissing them as unfounded. However, the arrests have reinforced fears of growing espionage activities in the country, particularly as China expands its influence in the region.
With the Philippine government vowing further crackdowns, Malaya hinted that more arrests could follow as authorities intensify counterintelligence operations.
