A stronger defense against foreign espionage is necessary, according to House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, as he urged Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro to reinforce security measures in critical government facilities, military camps, and embassies nationwide.
His statement follows reports of suspected Chinese spies allegedly conducting surveillance on government agencies in the country.
Khonghun, who chairs the House Special Committee on Bases Conversion, emphasized the urgent need to counter foreign espionage, which poses a serious threat to national security.
He expressed concerns that foreign surveillance may have already infiltrated the country’s national security infrastructures.
Khonghun stressed that while identifying foreign operatives is crucial, strengthening internal security protocols is equally important.
Authorities revealed that the suspected group had been conducting surveillance in key locations in Metro Manila, including Malacañang, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) discovered that the group used vehicles equipped with International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers, devices capable of intercepting and interfering with mobile communications.
Defense Secretary Teodoro had previously highlighted these concerns, urging foreign entities to respect the sovereignty of the Philippines.
The Philippines is not the only nation facing threats from foreign surveillance.
According to a CrowdStrike report, cyber espionage linked to China has increased by 150 percent, with finance, media, and engineering industries as primary targets.
The United States has also recognized foreign espionage as a major threat, with the FBI warning about systematic theft of state and corporate secrets.
Khonghun called for an immediate security review to address weaknesses in the country’s intelligence framework.
He also raised concerns about potential foreign interference in the Philippine electoral process.
Khonghun urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to establish and implement effective mechanisms to detect and prevent foreign meddling.
He also encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities by foreign nationals that could undermine national security.
Khonghun warned that neglecting the growing threat of foreign espionage could have dangerous consequences for the country.