China arrests three Filipinos suspected of spying

State broadcaster CCTV reported that authorities had identified one of the suspected spies as a Philippine national who had lived and worked in China long-term and had been found conducting espionage near military facilities. (Reuters)
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  • Announcement comes as the two countries continue to confront each other over disputed territory in the South China Sea
  • At least five Chinese nationals were arrested on suspicion of espionage in January and another two in February by Philippine authorities

BEIJING: China on Thursday said it had 鈥渄estroyed鈥� an intelligence network set up by the Philippine espionage agency and arrested three spies from the country.
The announcement comes as the two countries continue to confront each other over disputed territory in the South China Sea and tensions mount over the Philippines鈥� security ties with ally the United States.
At least five Chinese nationals were arrested on suspicion of espionage in January and another two in February by Philippine authorities.
And the latest arrests in China come two days after Beijing鈥檚 embassy in Manila issued a travel warning to its citizens about frequent 鈥渉arassment鈥� from Philippine law enforcement agencies.
On Thursday, state broadcaster CCTV reported that authorities had identified one of the suspected spies as a Philippine national who had lived and worked in China long-term and had been found conducting espionage near military facilities.
The CCTV report included a video of his arrest and what appeared to be a recorded confession.
He was recruited by Philippine intelligence services to 鈥渢ake advantage of his long-term residence in China to conduct espionage activities in China and collect sensitive information, especially on military deployment,鈥� state media said.
He came close to military facilities multiple times and 鈥渃onducted close observation and secret photography,鈥� CCTV added.
The three individuals had been recruited by the same Philippine spy since 2021 and received regular payment for their work, CCTV said.
They were also tasked with 鈥渁ssisting the Philippine spy intelligence agency in selecting and developing personnel, and expanding its intelligence network in China.鈥�
They had provided 鈥渁 large amount of military-related and confidential video materials鈥� to Philippine agents, 鈥渃ausing serious harm to China鈥檚 national security and interests,鈥� CCTV quoted a Chinese national security officer as saying.
Manila鈥檚 National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya told AFP the country鈥檚 foreign ministry was 鈥渃urrently confirming these reports and the involvement of any Philippine national, if any.鈥�
鈥淲e have no further comment as of this time until we are able to verify these new reports,鈥� he added.
Asked about the charges, Beijing鈥檚 foreign ministry said it would 鈥渉andle the cases in accordance with the law and will also safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant personnel.鈥�
But spokesman Guo Jiakun also accused Manila of having 鈥渇abricated several so-called Chinese espionage cases.鈥�
鈥淐hina urges the Philippines to stop chasing shadows and pinning labels on people,鈥� Guo said.