MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday (22 Jan 2025) called for the prompt passage of a bill aimed at modernizing the country’s espionage laws, following recent incidents involving alleged Chinese spies being apprehended by authorities.
Estrada’s proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 2368, was introduced in July 2023 and seeks to amend the country’s existing espionage laws under Commonwealth Act No. 616 and the Revised Penal Code. The bill is designed to address the evolving nature of modern espionage, particularly in light of new technologies and methods of surveillance.
The bill expands the scope of espionage and introduces harsher penalties, including life imprisonment and substantial fines, for individuals found guilty of espionage.
“As a legislator deeply committed to national security, I recognize the pressing need to modernize and fortify our laws to effectively confront emerging threats to our sovereignty and security,” Estrada said in a statement.
The senator emphasized that before presenting the committee report to the plenary, further critical information and data must be submitted to the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security.
“It is crucial that we strike the right balance between safeguarding national security and respecting the constitutional rights of our citizens,” Estrada added. “This initiative aims to strengthen our defenses while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.”
The call for swift legislative action follows the arrest of a Chinese national accused of espionage and rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea. In response to these developments, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros also advocated for strengthening the nation’s Anti-Espionage Law.
The National Security Council has echoed these concerns, urging lawmakers to expedite the passage of amendments that would impose harsher penalties on individuals involved in espionage activities.
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