House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima said the presence of alleged spies in the Philippines linked to China did not surprise her, pointing to policies during the previous administration.
De Lima made the statement following a call from Malacañang for heightened vigilance among government agencies after the National Security Council discovered espionage operations connected to China.
According to the lawmaker, the situation raises concern, particularly with reports that some Filipinos may be cooperating with foreign interests.
De Lima said she is worried that certain individuals in the country may be assisting China’s operations and effectively betraying national interests.
She also raised concerns about Filipinos who allegedly support foreign positions in matters involving the country’s sovereignty, including issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea.
The congresswoman said financial incentives may be one factor behind such cooperation, but she also cited the broader influence of the pro-China policy during the Duterte administration.
De Lima also pointed to individuals she described as “Tsinador,” as well as trolls who allegedly spread disinformation and fake news related to the West Philippine Sea.
She questioned what would prevent others from cooperating with foreign actors if certain officials themselves appear to favor foreign interests over national sovereignty.
In response, De Lima renewed her call for the passage of House Bill 1844, also known as the Anti-Espionage Act.
The proposed measure aims to strengthen national security policies and counter-espionage efforts in response to threats against the country.
De Lima said the bill is long overdue and stressed the need to provide security agencies with sufficient resources to pursue and prosecute spies, particularly those targeting sensitive defense installations.
