Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday renewed his call for urgent amendments to the country’s “outdated” espionage laws following the recent arrest of an alleged Chinese spy and his two Filipino associates.

Estrada had previously filed Senate Bill (SB) 2368, which seeks to modernize existing laws under Commonwealth Act 616 and the Revised Penal Code to address evolving threats posed by advanced espionage methods and technologies.

“As a legislator and staunch advocate of national security, I recognize the urgent need to modernize and strengthen our laws to address emerging threats to our sovereignty and security,” said Estrada, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security.

He emphasized that the need to expedite amendments to the Espionage Law is “both timely and necessary,” given the sophisticated methods and technologies employed in modern espionage and acts of sabotage.

“It is imperative that we strike a balance between safeguarding national security and upholding the constitutional rights of our people,” he added.

Estrada further stated that the proposed amendments aim to “fortify our defenses while maintaining transparency and accountability in governance.”

SB 2368 seeks to broaden the scope of espionage and introduce harsher penalties, including life imprisonment and significantly higher fines, for those convicted of espionage.

Under current laws, espionage is punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison and a fine ranging from P2,000 to P30,000. The Revised Penal Code prescribes a penalty of six months and one day to six years in prison.

Estrada’s bill recommends stiffer penalties, including life imprisonment and fines of at least P1 million, to strengthen the protection of government information and effectively address advancements in technology, including electronic documents and cybersecurity.