MANILA: The Chinese embassy in Manila on Thursday (Mar 5) denied allegations that individuals linked to China were involved in espionage and foreign-directed malign activities in the Philippines, rejecting claims raised by Philippine security officials.
In a statement, embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said Beijing “firmly opposes and strongly deplores” what he described as irresponsible remarks promoting a so-called “Chinese spy” narrative.
The response came after the National Security Council said on Wednesday that it had uncovered what it described as a serious national security matter involving suspected espionage activities allegedly linked to China, with individuals said to be acting on behalf of Chinese intelligence.
Ji said the accusations amounted to malicious smears and were part of efforts to hype up rhetoric about a so-called China threat. He reiterated that China adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
The embassy also cited a recent case involving a Mongolian national who was initially suspected of having ties to China but was later clarified to have no affiliation with Beijing, saying the incident underscored the need to avoid premature conclusions.
Philippine authorities earlier said several Filipinos suspected of spying for China had been apprehended as part of a counterintelligence investigation.
Separate reports said three defence personnel were also detained over allegations that sensitive information had been transmitted to Chinese contacts, raising concerns about possible insider threats within security institutions. Officials have not publicly disclosed further details, citing national security considerations.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla earlier said authorities had been investigating the suspected network for several years, with multiple agencies coordinating efforts to detect and disrupt alleged espionage activities.
Padilla said the case highlights how intelligence-gathering tactics have evolved with the use of modern surveillance technology.
She noted that past operations have involved equipment such as International Mobile Subscriber Identity catchers and advanced mapping tools, which investigators are reviewing to better understand the scope of suspected activities.
She also cited earlier incidents in which individuals allegedly attempted to recruit former members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for foreign-linked operations.
Padilla clarified, however, that no active military personnel were implicated in the current case.
Ji warned that continued accusations could strain bilateral relations.
“Mutual respect is the foundation of China-Philippines relations,” he said.
He also urged Philippine agencies to avoid what he described as groundless allegations and not to use espionage claims as a basis to disrupt normal exchanges between the two countries. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
