Palace walks back NSC’s ‘retaliation’ claims against alleged Filipino spies nabbed in China

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'There is no concrete evidence yet if it is really retaliation or a part of retaliation of the other country,' says the Palace press briefer

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday, April 7, said there was still “no concrete evidence” to the claim of its own National Security Council (NSC) that China’s detention of three Filipinos for alleged espionage was in “retaliation” against the arrest of Chinese nationals accused of spying in the Philippines. 

“There is no concrete evidence yet if it is really retaliation or a part of retaliation of the other country. We will not say that because there is no final investigation on that matter. But there is still ongoing investigation on that and we will just defer all the details to DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and to (Department of National Defense),” said Undersecretary Claire Castro in a briefing. 

On April 5, the NSC spokesperson Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya had said in a statement that the arrest of the three, Palawan locals who had previously been part of a learning exchange with the Chinese province of Hainan, “can be seen as a retaliation for the series of legitimate arrests of Chinese agents and accomplices by Philippine law enforcement and counter-intelligence agencies in recent months.”

Beginning January 2025, Philippine law enforcement has publicized the arrest of both Chinese and even Filipino nationals over what investigators claim were acts of espionage against critical Philippine infrastructure, including military bases and waterways.  

Castro, press briefer for the Palace, said “legal assistance will always be given, all the necessary help and assistance will be provided.” 

The DFA had earlier said that it had been “formally made aware of the allegations against the three Filipinos who are currently detained in China.” 

“The Department has 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,” said DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza on April 4. 

Daza had confirmed in mid-March 2025 that three Palawan locals were under detention in China over allegations of espionage. In early April, China state media reported on the identity and status of the three detained Filipinos.

The NSC, in its April 5 statement, said it was “alarmed” by the charges against the three, all former recipients of a Hainan Government Scholarship program created through a sister province arrangement with Palawan. – Rappler.com