Three Filipinos arrested in China are scholars, Not spies—NSC

Davao City  (April 6) -The National Security Council (NSC) clarified on Saturday that the three Filipinos recently arrested by Chinese authorities on alleged espionage charges are ordinary scholars invited by the Chinese government and not spies as portrayed in Chinese media.

In an official statement, NSC Assistant Director General and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the arrested individuals were former recipients of the Hainan Government Scholarship Program, which was established under a sisterhood agreement between the provinces of Palawan and Hainan.

“The arrested Filipinos are former recipients of the Hainan Government Scholarship Program, which provided scholarships for 50 students from Palawan at the Hainan National University,” Malaya said.

In a video statement published by Associated Press, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said ,“Recently, the Philippines has fabricated several so-called Chinese spy cases, presuming guilt and politicizing the issue without clear facts. China firmly opposes this and has repeatedly lodged solemn protests.”

Jiakun further urged the Philippine government to “stop making groundless accusations, handle cases involving Chinese citizens fairly and justly, and ensure the protection of their legitimate rights while in the Philippines.”

According to the NSC, the three individuals are ordinary Filipino citizens without military backgrounds or criminal records. The Chinese government vetted and screened them prior to their arrival in China.

“They merely went to China to study at the invitation of the Chinese government,” Malaya emphasized.

The NSC also raised concerns about an edited video released by Chinese media, which showed the supposed confessions of the arrested Filipinos. The Council said the video appeared scripted and included statements that seemed coerced.

One of the statements in the video unusually portrayed China in a positive light while also referencing a so-called “Philippine Intelligence Agency” or “Philippine Spy Intelligence Services,” both of which are non-existent government entities.

“The confessions appear scripted, strongly suggesting they were not made freely,” the NSC noted.

Retaliation Suspected

Malaya said the Philippine government suspects that the arrests may be in retaliation for a series of legitimate arrests of Chinese agents and their local accomplices by Philippine law enforcement and counter-intelligence agencies in recent months.

“The safety and well-being of the arrested Filipinos remain the top priority of the Philippine government,” he said.

The NSC assured that it is closely coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to ensure that the three Filipinos receive appropriate legal assistance and due process and that their rights are respected under international law.

“We urge the Chinese government to respect their rights and afford them every opportunity to clear their names in the same way that the rights of Chinese nationals are respected here in the Philippines,” Malaya added.

The NSC called on the public to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of misinformation and propaganda surrounding the case.

“Let us stand united in our commitment to truth, justice, and adherence to international law while prioritizing the well-being of our citizens abroad,” Malaya said.

The government continues to monitor developments and reiterates its assurance that all legal and diplomatic measures are being pursued to ensure the fair treatment of the three detained Filipinos.