Philippine authorities have arrested six Chinese nationals and one Filipino on suspicion of spying on US and Philippine navy vessels near the entrance of Subic Bay, a strategically significant location.
The arrests, reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA), have intensified concerns amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
According to RFA, the suspects were apprehended following intelligence reports from the Philippine military, which alerted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the presence of “foreign nationals believed to be conducting covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities” near Grande Island, which sits at the entrance of Subic Bay.
The NBI, in a statement released on Wednesday, said that the six Chinese individuals had been closely monitored for their involvement in activities suspected of gathering sensitive information that could impact national security.
A Filipino national, who was reportedly serving as their security guard, was also taken into custody.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that counter-intelligence operations revealed the individuals were disguising themselves as recreational fishermen but were engaging in prolonged stays at local wharves.
He added that multiple witnesses had observed them using drones under the pretext of transporting fishing bait, while in reality, they were allegedly conducting surveillance on naval assets, including those belonging to allied forces.
Grande Island, located at the entrance of Subic Bay, has historical significance as a former artillery training site for American forces. Subic Bay itself housed the largest US naval base outside of the United States from 1901 until 1992.
The detained Chinese nationals were identified as He Peng, Xu Xining, Ye Tianwu, Ye Xiaocan, Dick Ang, and Su Anlong. The Filipino suspect was named as Melvin Aguillon.
The arrests bring the total number of Chinese nationals detained in the Philippines for alleged espionage this year to 12.
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