World

Manila arrests Chinese spies posing as Taiwanese

Suspected Chinese spies posing as Taiwanese tourists were arrested in the Philippines after allegedly taking photographs of Philippine Coast Guard ships, Taipei Times reported.

According to local media, the two suspects had been staying at a resort in Palawan, where they discreetly used their phones from a secluded location to record the comings and goings of coast guard vessels.

Palawan is located near the Spratly Islands, a key area of dispute in the South China Sea, and tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent years over territorial claims. The arrested suspects are also accused of using drones without authorisation and installing cameras on coconut trees at the resort to monitor the ships’ activities.

Local witnesses reported seeing suspicious actions from the pair. One of the suspects was even captured on camera by residents of the resort, though they denied the allegations when confronted, reported Taipei Times.

According to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr, authorities found photographs of military bases, facilities, and ships on the suspects’ phones. The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now conducting a nationwide search for any accomplices connected to the operation.

Meanwhile, another Chinese national named Deng, along with two Filipino accomplices, was arrested in Metro Manila on January 17 for similar espionage activities. Deng was allegedly driving around Manila and Luzon island, using surveillance equipment to gather intelligence on sensitive buildings and military sites.

Deng’s wife and the Chinese embassy have denied all allegations. However, Philippine National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya stated that the government has a “solid” case against Deng, who was caught “red-handed” during the surveillance operation, Taipei Times reported.

Malaya further added, “There will be more arrests,” indicating that the Philippine government is continuing its crackdown on espionage and counterintelligence efforts across the country.

ANI

Ani service

Recent Posts

EAM Jaishankar meets South Korean special envoys, discusses defence, maritime and tech cooperation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met a delegation of special envoys from the…

17 hours ago

Amnesty International slams Pakistan for using anti-terror laws to crush Baloch voices

Amnesty International has issued a report demanding the immediate and unconditional release of detained leaders…

17 hours ago

India sends 300,000 Measles and Rubella vaccine doses to Bolivia amid outbreak

India on Thursday dispatched a consignment of 300,000 doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines, along…

17 hours ago

Bangladesh: 4 killed in Gopalganj as NCP rally triggers violent clashes with Awami League supporters; curfew imposed

At least four people were killed and dozens injured in violent clashes between law enforcement…

22 hours ago

Earthquake of magnitude 7.3 rattles Alaska, tsunami warning issued

An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 on the Richter Scale rattled Alaska in the early hours…

1 day ago

“Challenge before us is to stabilise global order”: EAM Jaishankar at SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet

Amid rising global tensions and economic uncertainty, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday raised…

1 day ago