PH says ‘more arrests’ on the way as suspected Chinese spies nabbed in Palawan

Malaya was asked about a 2024 Rappler investigation that found that a Chinese man verified as an agent of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) had conducted intelligence gathering and set up an espionage and influence network under the cover of being a reporter for a Shanghai-based publication. Steve Zhang has not returned to the Philippines since the report came out in August 2024. 

On Tuesday evening, January 28, GMA News aired an exclusive report, citing sources, that two Chinese men were caught taking cellphone videos of a PCG vessel, as well as supposedly setting up a CCTV camera pointed towards the sea in Palawan. The NBI is expected to a hold a press conference on the alleged spies Thursday, January 30 in the afternoon. 

The Palawan arrests comes just over a week after the NBI announced the arrest of Chinese national and two Filipinos over suspected espionage after they gathered information from and about military facilities and vital Philippine infrastructure. Deng Yuanqing was apprehended alongside two Filipino drivers who said they drove Deng and his equipment around Luzon. 

Deng and his family, including his Filipina wife, have denied espionage allegations. The Chinese embassy in Manila has also called the allegations agaisnt Deng “baseless speculation and accusation.”

The embassy also urged the Philippines “to base its judgment on facts, not to make presumption of guilt, stop airing groundless speculations about the so-called ‘Chinese spy case,’ handle relevant cases in accordance with the law, earnestly fulfill the obligations of the bilateral consular treaty and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines.”

Malaya, still speaking at the Wednesday forum, said the Philippines has a “solid case” against Deng. “There was extensive case build up, and surveillance was done on this individual,” he said. “We have all the necessary evidence to prove his culpability,” he added. 

Palawan is an island that faces the the South China Sea, which China claims in almost as its own entirety as its own, despite a 2016 Arbitral Award. Beijing refuses to recognize the ruling, which affirmed the extent and limits of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which includes the West Philippine Sea. 

Chinese vessels — from its navy, coast guard, or so-called Chinese Maritime Militia — regularly sail and patrol the West Philippine Sea, despite protests from the Philippines. 

Flashpoints in those waters have resulted in confrontations between Philippines and Chinese maritime forces. The China Coast Guard (CCG) have rammed and used water cannons against the PCG in the open sea. The worst incident happened in June 2024, when CCG personnel brandished bladed weapons before boarding and destroying the boats of elite soldiers that were already moored next to the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine Navy ship moored in Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal. 

The incident led to a “provisional understanding” between China and the Philippines covering personnel rotation and resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal. Details of that agreement have not been made public. — Rappler.com