Philippine authorities arrested six foreign nationals and two Filipinos as the Southeast Asian nation ramps up its campaign against espionage.
The eight were apprehended on March 19 on Grande Island in Subic Bay, a strategic vantage point with a clear view of key sea lanes in the South China Sea, including the disputed Scarborough Shoal, Manila’s defence department said on March 20.
“The arrest exposes the unlawful nature, including suspected espionage and kidnapping activities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations for which some foreign nationals are using Grande Island under the guise of private enterprises,” the agency said in a statement.
Authorities were serving a warrant on a Chinese national for alleged cybercrimes.
The operation comes as the Southeast Asian nation is stepping up its crackdown on alleged spies amid tensions with Beijing over the disputed South China Sea.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier sounded the alarm as several Chinese nationals have been nabbed in the past months for allegedly spying on the military and coast guard.
The activities of those recently arrested “may be part of larger criminal network operations (and) pose a serious threat to our national security,” the defense department said. BLOOMBERG
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