Philippines Arrests Chinese Citizens Allegedly Spying On Military Installation

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Philippine law enforcers arrested a Chinese citizen on suspicion of espionage. Equipment found that authorities believe can be used to spy on military facilities.

The suspect, identified as Deng Yuanqing, was published to the media on Monday, January 20, along with two other suspects in the Philippine group.

Investigators say Deng is affiliated with the PLA Army Engineering University (People's Liberation Army) based in the city of Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province.

Philippine National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago said Deng was part of a group that authorities had tracked, based on intelligence indicating they had arrived in the country to carry out surveillance of critical infrastructure, including military installations.

Several locations visited by the group include locations where US troops have been granted access under a military agreement, said Philippine armed forces commander Romeo Brawner.

"We are only seeing China's overall espionage efforts," Brawner said at a news conference.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The arrests came amid growing suspicions in the Philippines over China's activities, including the actions of coast guard and fishing militias in Manila's exclusive economic zone.

The two countries have overlapping claims over several disputed regions and are involved in fierce disputes at sea, as well as accusing each other of committing violations.

"We confiscated the vehicle, and above it there was espionage equipment," Santiago said.

"It is possible that some of the information gathered has been sent to China," he continued.

NBI Cyber Crime Chief Jeremy Lotoc said Deng had been in the Philippines for five years based on a copy of his passport.

"We nicknamed him as a sleeping (agent)," he said.