MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that it has been “formally made aware” of the allegations against the three Filipinos who are currently detained in China for espionage.
The DFA also said on Friday that the Philippine Government’s prime priority is protecting the rights and interests of the said Filipinos and that it is providing all necessary assistance.
“Protecting the rights and interests of the said Filipinos remains the prime priority for the Philippine Government,” the DFA mentioned in a statement.
“The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou is providing all necessary assistance, including appropriate legal support, for the said Filipinos,” the DFA added.
The Department has also conveyed to the Chinese Government to ensure that these allegations are “tried with due process and with full respect to the rights of the said Filipinos in accordance with domestic law and the Philippines-China Consular Agreement”, the statement read.
The DFA did not disclose the names of the three Filipinos, nor confirmed the cases filed against them.
In a report from state-controlled online media China Daily, it mentioned that Chinese authorities have arrested three Filipino nationals on suspicion of espionage, accusing them of working for the Philippine intelligence agency “to gather classified information on China’s military,” state security officials said.
In the report, authorities mentioned that one of the Filipinos was detained after he was found “repeatedly loitering” near military facilities, raising suspicions. Investigators later determined that the Filipino “was acting under the remote direction” of an operative for the Philippine intelligence service.
According to security officials, two other Filipinos were also allegedly working under the instruction of the same Philippine intelligence service operative to collect sensitive information, the report said.
China's State security authorities said the three were arrested after conclusive evidence was obtained of their involvement in espionage, China Daily reported.
In the same report, it mentioned that all three suspects have reportedly “confessed and expressed remorse.”
According to China Daily, the case remains under investigation and authorities have reiterated that China will take strict action against foreign espionage.
