2025 Philippine espionage cases
| Date | January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arrests | Deng Yuanqing Cai Shaohuang Wang Yong Yi Wu Jun Ren Wu Chengtin 2 Filipinos |
| Charges | Espionage |
On January 17, 2025, Philippine law enforcement agents arrested Chinese national Deng Yuanqing along with two Filipinos under suspicions of spying for China. His group was accused of mapping critical infrastructure in the Philippines including military bases which the United States has access to. Five more Chinese were arrested.
Background
[edit]China–Philippines relations
[edit]During the Senate inquiries about Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in 2024, it was alleged that Chinese spies has taken advantage the proliferation of POGOs during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency deputy director general Francisco Acedillo says that a Chinese spy network has long established itself in the economic and political landscape of the Philippines.[1]
The most notable case prior the January 2025 spy arrests was that of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo who allegedly have links to the raided POGO hub in her town and was named as a Chinese spy by Thailand-detained self-confessed agent She Zhijiang.[1] POGOs were banned by the end of 2024.
The two countries are also involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The United States presence in the Philippines through access to Philippine military bases via the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is seen as an affront to Chinese interest.[2][3]
Accused
[edit]Deng Yuanqing
[edit]Deng Yuanqing (Chinese: 鄧元慶[4]) is a software engineer who is a resident of the Philippines who was arrested and accused of espionage.[5]
According to Philippine Bureau of Immigration, Deng is married to a Filipino woman and has been travelling in and out of the Philippines since 2013. He is a businessman and a holder of a permanent residence visa due to his marriage.[6][7][8] Furthermore, Filipino investigators allege that Deng is affiliated with the People's Liberation Army University of Science and Technology (now the Army Engineering University of the PLA since 2017) in Nanjing, China.[9][10] Deng's alleged entry at ScholarGPS was cited for this claim.[11][12]
Deng also has a sister, who says he is merely a labor contractor for a driving technology company working on a road-testing project in the Philippines.[6] His wife says his job involves road surveying for self-driving car technology.[13] NBI director Jaime Santiago questions why the specific name of the company cannot be disclosed.[11]
Summary of suspects
[edit]Some of the arrested Chinese nationals have been living in the Philippines as early as 2003.[14] Three of them are noted to be married to Filipinos.[15]
| Name[16][17] | Age | Arrest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deng Yuanqing | January 17 (in Makati) | ||
| Ronel Jojo Besa | Filipino drivers of Deng[18] | ||
| Jayson Amado Fernandez | |||
| Cheng Hai Tao (Lestrade) | 36 | January 24 (in Pasay) | Arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport coming from a flight from Palawan. |
| Wu Cheng Ting (Brawn) | 38 | ||
| Wang Yong Yi (Watson) | 52 | January 24 (in Intramuros, Manila) | |
| Wu Chin Ren | 62 | January 24 (in Binondo, Manila) | |
| Cai Shaohuang (Richard Tan Chua) | 52 | January 25 (in Dumaguete) | Alleged field commander |
Arrests
[edit]January 17 arrest in Makati
[edit]The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) became suspicious of a group led by Deng. They suspected that his group was conducting surveillance on critical infrastructure, including military installations.[9] The NBI with assistance from the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted the arrest of Deng and two suspected Filipino accomplice in a condominium in Makati, Metro Manila on January 17, 2025.[19][20] Authorities also confiscated a Toyota RAV4 equipped with a GNSS RPK Global Navigation Satellite System and data transmission tools.[5] The detained were presented to the media on January 20, 2025.[19][20]
The three are facing charges under Section 1(a) and 2(a) of the Commonwealth Act 616 (Espionage Act of 1941), in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.[6] Deng plead "not guilty" to the charges.[21]
AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. alleged that Deng's group was visiting military bases the Philippines granted access to the United States under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).[9][22]
National Security Council has urged the Congress for the passage of a bill amending the Espionage Act of 1941 to cover more espionage acts during times of peace following Deng's arrest.[23][24]
Chinese Filipino civic leader Teresita Ang See was skeptical on about the accusation and insist its an "iffy conclusion" that Deng was committing espionage just because he has "road surveying instruments in his car". She dismissed accusations and speculations against Deng as "conspiracy theories" that only serves to stir tensions on Philippines-China relations.[25] She called for a fair probe on Deng.[6] NBI director Jaime Santiago disputes Ang-See's position that the devices confiscated are commercial-grade purchasable online. He insist the equipment are military grade including a Light Detection and Ranging device[11]
January 24–25
[edit]The NBI arrest five more suspected Chinese spies from January 24 to 25. They are Cai Shaohuang, Wang Yong Yi, Wu Jun Ren, and Wu Chengting. The five are allegedly working with Deng.[17]
Some of them were posing as Taiwanese tourists in Palawan. They were identified as members of the Qiaoxing Volunteer Group of the Philippines and the Philippine China Association of Promotion of Peace and Friendship.[26]
President Bongbong Marcos issued a statement of concern that the Chinese could have been utilizing sleeper agents against the country.[27]
Alleged targets of surveillance
[edit]The suspects are believed by Philippine authorities to be conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.[28] This includes taking photos and videos of Philippine Coast Guard stations, naval vessels and docks, and high-resolution images of Philippine Navy ships[29] Activities has been monitored as early as 2023.[11]
| Target[29] | Type | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Detachment Oyster Bay | Naval base | Ulugan Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan | Aerial surveillance and imagery intelligence; From Kahumat-an Beach[11] |
| Antonio Bautista Air Base[11] | Air base | Puerto Princesa, Palawan | |
| Buliluyan Port | Seaport | Bataraza, Palawan | Via a CCTV installed at Sun Seas Beach Resort.[11] |
| Subic Bay International Airport | Airport | Morong, Bataan | Terrain map |
| Naval Operating Base Subic | Naval base | Subic, Zambales | Terrain map |
| Philippine Coast Guard – Maritime Safety Service Unit NCR-CL | Coast guard base | Manila |
Chinese government response
[edit]The embassy of China in Manila maintains that the Chinese government always advises its citizens to abide by local laws and regulations. It condemned the characterization of Deng as a "Chinese spy" and urged the Philippine government to "stick to the facts, stop shadow-chasing" and protect the interests and welfare of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.[22]
Other reactions
[edit]Figures in the Chinese Filipino community has cautioned against sensationalizing the espionage cases while recognizing the incidents shouldn't be downplayed. There are concerns that it may affect tourism from China and may stow Sinophobia.[30]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (February 2, 2025). "Government urged: Beef up intel vs China spies". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ News, Bloomberg (January 20, 2025). "Philippines arrests suspected Chinese spy, heating up tensions". Bangkok Post. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
{{cite news}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ "Philippines' arrest of Chinese 'sleeper agent' sparks fears of widespread spying". South China Morning Post. January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ "國調局拘疑似中國「間諜」" [NBI arrestes suspected Chinese 'spy']. Chinese Commercial News (in Chinese). Binondo, Manila. January 21, 2025. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Torres-Tupas, Tetch (January 20, 2025). "Chinese engineer, 2 Filipinos nabbed for espionage targeting PH security". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Boton, Pia Lee-Brago; Galvez, Daphne; Boton, Christine (January 25, 2025). "Ang-See calls for fair probe on 'Chinese spy'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Tolentino, Ariel Jerald (January 24, 2025). "Immigration check: Alleged Chinese spy staying in PH for 12 years". Politko.com.ph. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Laqui, Ian (January 22, 2025). "Alleged spy arrested, married to Filipina — Immigration". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Philippines arrests Chinese national on suspicion of espionage". Reuters. January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ Go, Miriam Grace (January 20, 2025). "Arrest of suspected Chinese spy: What we know so far". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Villanueva, Gillian (January 31, 2025). "5 more Chinese 'spies' nabbed". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ "Yuanqing Deng | Scholar Profiles and Rankings". ScholarGPS. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (January 27, 2025). "Wife of Chinese arrested for alleged espionage denies husband is a spy". GMA News. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ Bautista, Jane (February 3, 2025). "'Spies' were PH residents for decades – BI". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ De Guzman, Karen (February 3, 2025). "BI: Alleged Chinese spies married Filipinas to mask illicit activities in Philippines". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ Cupin, Bea (January 31, 2025). "What we know so far about China's alleged spying on PCG, Navy in Palawan". Rappler. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ a b "NBI arrests 5 suspected Chinese 'spies' in Palawan". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Bautista, Jane (January 21, 2025). "Chinese man, 2 Filipinos charged with spying". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Laqui, Ian (January 20, 2025). "Suspected Chinese spy arrested in Makati for espionage activities". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "AFP to tighten security after arrest of alleged spy from China". News5. January 20, 2025. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ "Inarestong 'Chinese spy' naghain ng not guilty plea sa Makati RTC". ABS-CBN News. January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Kabagani, Lade Jean (January 23, 2025). "China slams Phl for 'shadow-chasing, peddling' spy arrest reports". Daily Tribune. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ Argosino, Faith (January 21, 2025). "NSC urges Congress to prioritize anti-espionage bills, amendments". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ Kabagani, Lade Jean (January 21, 2025). "Congress urged to amend Phl espionage law". Daily Tribune. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ Tonelada, Rachelle (January 25, 2025). "Chinese Embassy denies alleged spy in Philippines as 'baseless accusation'". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Punzalan, Jamaine (January 30, 2025). "Alleged Chinese spies posed as tourists in Palawan: official". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Bordey, Hana (January 31, 2025). "Marcos 'very disturbed' by alleged China spying in Palawan". GMA News Online. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Ticke, Gerald (January 30, 2025). "Five foreign nationals detained over alleged intelligence activities in Puerto Princesa". Palawan News. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Villeza, Mark Ernest (January 31, 2025). "NBI arrests 5 Chinese nationals for espionage". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ "Philippines urged to avoid 'sensationalising' arrests of Chinese nationals". South China Morning Post. February 1, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.