China arrests 3 Filipinos for alleged spying

MANILA, Philippines — China’s state security authorities arrested three Filipinos suspected of spying in the country that employs extensive state surveillance on its citizens and visitors.

The Chinese state media Global Times reported that Chinese state security authorities allegedly uncovered a case of Filipino espionage.

The latest arrest in China came two days after the Chinese embassy in Manila issued a travel advisory,
 warning its citizens about frequent “harassment” of Chinese nationals by Philippine law enforcement agencies.

“The Investigation revealed that Philippine intelligence agencies have long been focused on gathering information about China’s military deployments,” the report said.

A Filipino residing in China, who allegedly repeatedly visited areas near Chinese military facilities, was being directed by a “Philippine handler” engaging in espionage and intelligence-gathering activities within China.

China’s arrest of the three Filipinos was reported after Philippine police arrested last week six Chinese nationals and two accomplices for allegedly spying on US and Philippine Navy ship movements in Subic Bay.

The operation, led by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), launched a raid at Grande Island, a former strategic fort at the entrance to Subic Bay.

The Chinese suspects were posing as fishermen and tourists, according to the NBI.

Mass surveillance in China is the network of monitoring systems used by the Chinese central government to monitor Chinese citizens and visitors. It is primarily conducted through the government, although corporate surveillance in connection with the Chinese government has been reported to occur. China monitors through internet surveillance, camera surveillance, and through other digital technologies. It has become increasingly widespread and grown in sophistication under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration.