AFP warns espionage on the rise in PH
The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday flagged a continuing pattern of espionage in the country, following recent arrests of foreign nationals in Zambales and Bohol with suspected intelligence or military connections.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the Mongolian national and a graduating pilot detained in Iba, Zambales, were discovered to have concealed ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as shown by the pilot’s fighter jet license alone.
A Chinese national surnamed “Guo” was also arrested in Panglao, Bohol, after posing as a Filipino using fake documents.
“These incidents follow a pattern over the past two years involving foreign nationals, particularly from China, allegedly engaged in intelligence-gathering activities,” Trinidad said. “We leave it to the courts to determine their liability, but yes, there is a trend.”
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed in separate press releases that Guo, 48, used multiple aliases and Philippine-issued documents, including a professional driver’s license, to operate businesses in Panglao through Filipino nominees, despite official records showing he is a Chinese citizen.
Guo was arrested on Feb. 17 and is being held by the Bureau of Immigration.
Trinidad said the AFP’s shift under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept has allowed the military to better monitor both domestic and external threats.
“This posture requires greater coordination with other government agencies, including the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Customs,” he said.
He did not provide figures on how many foreign spies may still be operating in the country, but noted that recent arrests were the result of inter-agency intelligence operations supported by the AFP.
