Chinese 'espionage' ops 'baseless speculation and accusation' —Chinese Embassy

The Chinese Embassy on Saturday said the alleged espionage operation in the Philippines of a supposed Chinese spy is a "baseless speculation and accusation."

"The so-called 'espionage' operation of a Chinese citizen in the Philippines is baseless speculation and accusation," the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said in a statement posted on their website.

"The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has expressed concerns to the Philippine side and requested for consular visit to the said Chinese citizen so as to provide consular assistance," it added.

The National Bureau of Investigation on Monday said authorities arrested a Chinese national and two Filipinos for allegedly conducting surveillance activities in the Philippines.

NBI Cybercrime Division chief Jeremy Lotoc said authorities found that the group frequently visited military camps, bases, power plants, offices of local government units, police camps, seaports, airports, and shopping malls.

He said the group also visited Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.

Authorities reportedly seized equipment such as rovers and mapping devices during the operation.

The family and a friend of the arrested Chinese national, identified as Deng Yuangin, however, denied the accusations, asserting his innocence.

The mother and sister of 39-year-old Deng from China's Fujian Province insisted he could not be involved in espionage.

The family disclosed that Deng traveled frequently to the Philippines after marrying a Filipina in 2014. He was also managing a business in Zamboanga.

A friend of Deng’s explained that he had been recruited by a China-based firm to test-drive vehicles in the Philippines.

The Chinese Embassy on Saturday said Deng's family got in touch with them and raised their concerns.

"The family of the Chinese citizen in custody approached the Embassy with concern about his safety and fair treatment and presented some facts different from the accusation by the Philippine authorities," the embassy said.

"We urge the Philippine side 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," it added.

China on Wednesday called out the Philippines for allegedly shadow-chasing and peddling the report on the supposed Chinese spy caught in Manila.

“The Chinese government, as always, asks Chinese nationals overseas to abide by local laws and regulations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press conference in Beijing.

“We hope the Philippines will stick to the fact, stop shadow-chasing, stop peddling the so-called ‘Chinese spy,’ and earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines,” she added.

The Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday said it had obtained records of the said Chinese national.

He has a permanent resident visa in the country due to marriage and has been residing in Metro Manila, the BI said.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado also said the agency will conduct deportation proceedings against the foreigner to add to the possible charges he may face in the Philippines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it is improving its intelligence and cyber defense amid the reported espionage activities in the country.

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año, in a separate statement, urged Congress to amend the Espionage Act as well as the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence bill in light of the incident.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday called for the immediate passage of the bill strengthening the 83-year-old Espionage Law following the arrest of the Chinese national and two Filipinos.

The AFP also said it sees possible connection in the recent incidents of supposed espionage, recovery of underwater drones in Philippine waters, and fake identification cards of foreign nationals.

In a press briefing, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said a foreign power seems to be mapping out the Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs meanwhile on Thursday vowed to extend help to government agencies involved in the investigation of alleged espionage operations in the Philippines. —KG, GMA Integrated News