The Philippines expressed concerns on Thursday (October 3) over media reports of foreigners conducting secret operations in the country, while coordinating with relevant agencies to address the issue.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines, as reported by Reuters, did not mention any foreign individuals or entities in their statement, but a spokesperson told reporters that the department was responding to the latest episode of Al Jazeera’s investigative program “101 East” regarding a documentary about a Chinese fugitive detained in Thailand.
The fugitive in question is She Zhijiang, wanted by Beijing for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling operations.
In the documentary, he mentioned working as a spy for the Chinese Communist Party and being recruited in the Philippines at the end of 2016.
He also claimed that he and former Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac province in the Philippines, were working for China’s Ministry of State Security, the agency responsible for overseeing foreign intelligence for the Chinese Communist Party.
Teresita Daza, spokesperson of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, stated that the department has taken note of media reports regarding “foreign entities” conducting covert activities in the Philippines.
“We take such reports very seriously and are closely monitoring the developments in relation to this matter,” the spokesperson said. “It is our duty to protect national security.”
When asked if the Philippines was coordinating with China, Daza stated that she did not have relevant information. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to the claims made by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and the producers of the “101 East” documentary did not respond to requests for comment via email.
Alice Guo was elected as mayor in the Philippines in 2022 but was dismissed from office this year. The Philippine Senate and Congress are investigating her alleged involvement in offshore gambling operations targeting Chinese clients and ties to criminal activities.
Guo faces charges of corruption and money laundering, as well as accusations of involvement in illegal fraud, identity theft, and espionage for China. She has repeatedly denied being a Chinese spy, asserting that she is a native-born Philippine citizen. However, Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is leading the investigation, expressed skepticism towards Guo’s claims.
Last week, during the investigation, the Philippine House of Representatives screened the documentary from Al Jazeera, with Guo stating that she did not know the fugitive She Zhijiang.
According to the BBC, on September 3, Guo fled to Indonesia for refuge but was later deported by the authorities just two days after.
The Guo case has garnered significant attention in the Philippines, especially amidst the ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines over the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, making the issue of Chinese espionage activities a matter that the Philippines cannot take lightly.