DFA 'taking seriously' reports of foreign covert ops in PH

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said it was taking seriously the reports of alleged foreign covert operations in the country.

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza told reporters that the agency has noted reports containing relevant information on supposed foreign covert operations in the Philippines.

"In accordance with its mandate to help protect national security, the department takes such reports seriously and is monitoring relevant developments in this regard," Daza said.

The statement came after dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo was recently tagged as a Chinese spy by Chinese Cambodian businessman She Zhijiang in a report of international news channel Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said the allegation that Guo is a Chinese spy is very serious.

"We take them seriously. That's number one, especially since espionage ito. And second, there are other things that we have to look at," Remulla said.

"Itong nakita kay Alice Guo (What we see with Alice Guo) reminds us that we have national security concerns on these matters. There are fake identities involved," he added.

Guo has denied knowing or having any connection with She, who claimed to be a former Chinese spy.

Earlier, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said the DOJ would probe the allegations and coordinate with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and National Security Agency (NSA) to determine the veracity of the information.

For his part, Santiago said that they are also coordinating with their foreign counterparts to verify the claims. — VDV, GMA Integrated News