On August 10th (last Saturday), the Philippine digital media outlet Rappler reported that the Philippine intelligence department is investigating Chinese journalist Song Zhang from Shanghai’s Wen Hui Bao, stationed in Manila, as his declared work does not match his actual activities. The Philippine intelligence department has confirmed that he is a special agent of the Chinese Ministry of State Security. Analysts say that this accusation reflects China’s efforts to establish influence and spy networks in the Philippines through covert agents.
According to a report in the “South China Morning Post” under the column “This Week in Asia” on Tuesday (August 13th), Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC) of the Philippines, stated in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel that the Philippine authorities are investigating Song Zhang after Rappler reported that Philippine intelligence personnel confirmed he is a Chinese state security agent.
Rappler quoted a May report from the Philippine intelligence department in its report, stating that Song Zhang previously served as the chief correspondent of Wen Hui Bao in Washington, D.C., USA. Wen Hui Bao is owned by the Shanghai Media Group of China.
The report stated that since 2021, Song has been the chief correspondent of Wen Hui Bao’s Manila branch. His reporting in Manila has been minimal, and he has never registered with the “International Press Center,” the agency overseeing foreign journalists in the Philippines, but has established “important networks in various strategic institutions.”
Malaya said, “We are having our intelligence units verify this report. If these things are happening, I will not be surprised. This is part of China’s malicious influence. Regardless of the investigation outcome… whatever evidence we can gather, it could potentially lead to legal prosecution.”
The Philippine intelligence department has been monitoring Song Zhang’s public activities since last year. According to Rappler, Song frequently meets with senior executives of Chinese telecom giant Huawei’s subsidiary in the Philippines and the management personnel of video surveillance equipment manufacturer Hikvision.
From May to July this year, Philippine intelligence personnel pointed out that Huawei’s transactions or attempted transactions are part of a larger plan by China aimed at “embedding” Chinese infrastructure into critical sectors of the Philippines.
Malaya stated that they will investigate the connections Song established during his time in the Philippines. The immigration bureau is looking into his whereabouts to determine if he is still in the country.
Malaya said, “In the information field, we see them (pro-China groups) actively working. For example, if a statement comes from China, local pro-China groups will amplify that statement to induce the Philippines to adopt an aggressive strategy.”
Sherwin Ona, Associate Professor of Political Science at De La Salle University in Manila, told “This Week in Asia” that the presence of foreign agents in the Philippines is not new. He said, “What concerns me more is how these covert agents use their abundant resources to influence Filipinos. We need to expose their strategies.”
He added, “Song’s case is just the tip of the iceberg. We should always be prepared for the worst because we see how aggressive our enemies (in the South China Sea) are. They will do everything in their power to weaken us.”
Edmund Tayao, President and CEO of the think tank “Political Economic Elemental Researchers and Strategists (PEERS),” said that the reports on this case highlight China’s nefarious motives in the Philippines.
He said, “It just makes us more aware that China is determined to influence how we operate, especially within the government. The ultimate goal is quite clear, to allow China to control the Philippines.”