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The NSC confirms a Rappler exclusive on Chinese nationals recruiting Filipinos working in the government to access top defense and security information
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday, March 4, said spying operations “linked” to China have been “addressed and terminated.”
“For reasons of national security, we cannot discuss identities, methods, or timelines so as not to jeopardize ongoing operations. Nonetheless, necessary actions have been taken against the individuals concerned — all Filipino nationals — who have all confessed their complicity in espionage activities and are cooperating with authorities,” said the NSC’s spokesperson, Assistant Director General Cornelio Valencia Jr., in a statement.
Rappler exclusively reported the discovery and dismantling of a Chinese-led espionage network in the Philippines that netted Filipino government workers with access to sensitive information and documents related to the country’s security and defense plans and strategies.
The recruiters, whom Rappler sources identified as Chinese nationals, lured young government workers from or linked to different agencies — the Department of National Defense, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the military — into “consultancies,” where they were expected to turn in analyses, initially based on open intelligence sources.
Eventually, the young government workers would be coerced into sending sensitive files from the country’s defense and security agencies.
Valencia said the counterintelligence efforts, under the Insider Threat Program, “seeks to protect national security sensitive information, capabilities, and operations from foreign espionage, turn/coercion, and malicious or negligent compromise,” and covers various government agencies that “handle sensitive information.”
“We assure the public that safeguards are in place and working, and our security agencies remain proactive and vigilant, leading to the success of Philippine counterintelligence operations,” added Valencia.
The NSC urged the Philippine Congress to prioritize the passage of legislation to update Commonwealth-era anti-espionage laws and create an anti-foreign malign influence and interference act.
“When passed into law, these measures would expand the investigative powers of government, allow the prevention and disruption of hostile operations and networks, and protect our sensitive information and critical infrastructure,” he added. – Rappler.com
