Malacañang on Thursday called for heightened vigilance across government offices after the National Security Council (NSC) revealed espionage operations and foreign-directed malign activities in the country allegedly linked to China.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said security agencies have already acted against individuals identified under the government’s Insider Threat Program.
She urged all government offices to safeguard sensitive information and remain alert to national security risks.
“Ang paalala ng Palasyo sa lahat ng nasa gobyerno ay maging maingat at mapanuri,” Castro said.
“Bantayan ninyo ang inyong mga opisina, protektahan ang mga sensitibong impormasyon ng gobyerno, at tiyaking hindi ito makokompromiso ng mga aktor na maaaring magdulot ng banta sa pambansang seguridad,” she added.
The NSC described the case as a “serious national security matter” involving Filipino nationals allegedly working for Chinese intelligence.
Authorities said the operations had been “addressed and terminated,” with the individuals apprehended through joint counterintelligence efforts.
“For reasons of national security, we cannot discuss identities, methods, or timelines so as not to jeopardize ongoing operations. Nonetheless, necessary actions have been taken against the individuals concerned – all Filipino nationals – who have all confessed their complicity in espionage activities and are cooperating with authorities,” the NSC said.
The arrests were carried out under the Insider Threat Program, which aims to protect sensitive government information and critical infrastructure from espionage, coercion, or malicious compromise.
The NSC also called on Congress to prioritize the passage of the proposed Anti-Espionage Bill and the Anti-Foreign Malign Influence and Interference Act to bolster the country’s legal defenses against covert foreign operations.