Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon is pressing for the activation of the House “quad-committee” or quad-comm 2.0 to investigate reports of espionage activities in the Philippines allegedly linked to China.
In a statement on March 7, Ridon said the mega-panel should conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation following reports of foreign-linked spying operations.
As chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts and a member of the quad-comm in the 20th Congress, he emphasized the urgency of congressional action.
“Reports of China-linked espionage operations and malign influence activities warrant immediate congressional inquiry by the House quad-comm,” the lawmaker said.
Ridon underscored that while national security threats require a whole-of-government response, Congress has a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability.
“National security threats require a whole-of-government response, but Congress has an indispensable role: to surface facts on the record, compel coordination, and ensure that agencies have both the tools and the accountability mechanisms to protect the public interest,” he explained.
The lawmaker cited concerns raised by the National Security Council involving Filipino nationals allegedly working for a Chinese intelligence network.
He warned that espionage and covert influence operations undermine Philippine sovereignty and strain relations with Beijing.
Ridon proposed that the quad-comm examine the operational chain of alleged espionage activities, including recruitment, funding, coordination, and information dissemination.
He also suggested mapping how foreign-linked networks gather and use information, while identifying local enablers such as intermediaries, fixers, and financial conduits.
Ridon recommended investigating coordinated disinformation campaigns on social media, particularly those shaping public opinion on the West Philippine Sea and other security issues.
To strengthen oversight, Ridon urged inter-agency briefings from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Philippine National Police, and Department of Information and Communications Technology to update lawmakers on threat assessments, ongoing investigations, and enforcement gaps.