MANILA — Authorities have apprehended five (5) foreign nationals, suspected of engaging in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations within the Philippines.

On Thursday (30 Jan 2025), officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) presented the five Chinese suspects, along with sophisticated equipment seized during their arrest.

Among the recovered items were drones and military-grade video cameras disguised as civilian CCTV units. These devices had been used to capture high-resolution footage, some of which appeared to focus on sensitive military locations.

AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. revealed that the solar-powered cameras were transmitting live data to a remote location, which may explain why foreign ships had been consistently aware of the movements of Philippine Coast Guard and naval resupply ships.

Photos recovered during the operation included images of the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Palawan, a crucial base in the disputed West Philippine Sea, and naval vessels like the BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Teresa Magbanua.

The arrested suspects—identified as Cai Shaohuang, Cheng Hai Tao, Wu Cheng Ting, Wang Yong Yi, and Wu Chin Ren—allegedly posed as members of local civic organizations and businesspeople involved in the seafood trade. Their activities led them to develop connections with local officials.

The arrests took place between January 24 and 25, following operations in Palawan, Dumaguete, and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In response to concerns about targeting specific nationalities, NBI Director Jaime Santiago clarified that the operation was focused solely on espionage violations, not on Chinese nationals. He also denied accusations of mistreatment of another suspected spy, Deng Quanjing, who was arrested earlier this month.

AFP Chief Brawner emphasized that it was too early to determine whether the suspects’ actions were state-sponsored. He stated that the investigation remains focused on the ISR activities themselves, although the ultimate destination of the captured intelligence remains unknown. Brawner also warned that this case may only be the “tip of the iceberg,” with additional operatives still being investigated.

These arrests are linked to the January 17 apprehension of another Chinese suspect in Makati City, raising concerns over a broader espionage network operating in the Philippines.

ia/mnm