Malacañang on Friday said the country’s security forces are actively addressing threats from foreign sleeper agents following allegations raised in the Senate about the presence of Chinese spies.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Security Council (NSC) issued the assurance after Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed that many Chinese sleeper agents are in the Philippines.
“Rest assured na ginagawa nila ang kanilang trabaho,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing, quoting the NSC.
The NSC, she added, emphasized that the government treats espionage seriously.
“We cannot go into specifics for security reasons, but we can assure the public that our security forces are actively monitoring and addressing these threats. The government does not take espionage lightly, and we act swiftly when credible intelligence is verified,” the statement said.
According to Castro, the NSC also cited results from recent operations.
She said recent operations had resulted in the arrest of suspected foreign operatives, adding that security agencies are coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence units to dismantle espionage networks in the country.
Castro also confirmed that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) removed a businessman from the PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) after it was discovered that he misrepresented himself as a Filipino.
“Ito pong sinasabi nilang Chinese diumano ay patuloy pa rin po ang pag-iimbestiga ng PCG. At sa ngayon po, ang sinasabi nilang tao o iyong person involved ay tinanggal na po sa PCGA,” she said.
The Palace official explained that Coast Guard operations were not compromised, noting that the PCG Auxiliary is a civilian group whose members are limited to providing assistance such as relief efforts and support, without any role in official missions or access to sensitive activities.
She stressed that auxiliary members have no access to Coast Guard missions.
“Pero wala po silang access sa anumang mga operasyon at hindi po sila sumasampa sa barko. At kung anuman ang operasyon ng PCG, wala po silang maaaring malaman doon,” she stated.
