After taking pictures of Taipene Coast Guard ships, suspected Chinese detectives were arrested in the Philippines as Taiwanese tourists, stated by Taipei Times.
According to local media, both were living in a resort in suspected Palavan, where they used their phones from a secluded place to record coasters and Going of Coast Guard ships.
The Palavan is located near the Sprotali islands, which is a major region of dispute in the South China Sea, and the tension between China and the Philippines has moved forward on regional claims in recent years. The suspects arrested are also accused of using drones and installing cameras without the authority on coconut trees to monitor the activities of Ships.
Local witnesses reported seeing suspicious actions from the pair. One of the suspects was also captured on camera by the residents of the resort, although when they faced, they refused the allegations, reporting the Taipei Times.
According to the armed forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Bravanner Junior, authorities found photographs of military locations, facilities and ships on the phone of the suspects. The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is now making a nationwide discovery for any partner associated with the operation.
Meanwhile, another Chinese national named Deng along with two Filipino partner was arrested on 17 January for similar detective activities in Metro Manila. Deng was reportedly driving around the island of Manila and Luzon, using monitoring equipment to gather intelligence at sensitive buildings and military sites.
Deng’s wife and the Chinese embassy denied all the allegations. However, Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director General of the Philippine National Security Council, said that the government has a “solid” case against Deng, which was caught “red-hand” during the monitoring operation, Taipei Times reported.
Malaya further said, “There will be more arrests,” shows that the Philippine government is continuing its rift on espionage and counter -efforts across the country.
