Teodoro bats for amendment to espionage law

“Espionage law” sa bansa, dapat ng maamyendan para mapanagot ang mga mapapatunayang “spy” sa panahon ng kapayapaan ayon kay Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr @dzbb @gmanews pic.twitter.com/NXUoeOqdlp

— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) September 30, 2024

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday said the espionage law in the country should be amended and make it applicable during times of peace.

“Ang mahalaga ngayon parusahan natin ang espionage sa panahon ng peace kasi ang espionage law sa Pilipinas ay epektibo lamang during times of war,” Teodoro told reporters in an ambush interview.

(What is important now is that we punish espionage in times of peace because the espionage law in the Philippines is only effective during times of war.)

“So call to action din, alam naman na ng ating mga mambabatas, na agaran nilang amyendahan yung espionage law para maparusahan at makakilos ang gobyerno nang tama para sugpuin ito,” he added.

(So it's also a call to action, our legislators already know that they should immediately amend the espionage law so that the government can impose punishment and act correctly to suppress it.)

During a House QuadComm inquiry last week, a documentary was played and an interviewee indicated that Guo Hua Ping was a Chinese spy. Guo Hua Ping is also dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

Davao Oriental Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario had the committee play the Al Jazeera interview with She Zhijiang, said to be a detained Chinese spy who is fearing for his life if he is returned to China.

"Guo Huaping, China cannot be trusted. The two of us dedicated our lives to China's Ministry of State Security. Look at what happened to me," She said.

"If you don't want to be eliminated, tell the world the truth," he added.

In response, dismissed Guo said, "Hindi po ako spy. Mahal ko po ang Pilipinas (I am not a spy. I love the Philippines).

Guo is facing charges for graft, qualified human trafficking, money laundering, and tax evasion. She is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News