The National Security Council (NSC) revealed that additional arrests of individuals involved in espionage and intelligence operations in the Philippines are expected in the coming days, following the recent apprehension of two alleged Chinese spies in Palawan.

In a forum on Wednesday in Quezon City, NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya confirmed that the government is making progress in uncovering foreign espionage activities.

“We are slowly unraveling the conspiracy behind these operations. What I can say is that more arrests are coming, including the recent ones in Palawan,” Malaya said, noting that counterintelligence efforts have been ramped up.

While Malaya refrained from disclosing specifics about ongoing operations, he emphasized that more announcements would be made soon regarding other individuals involved in intelligence activities.

Earlier, law enforcement officials arrested two foreigners who identified themselves as Taiwanese after they were caught filming and photographing Philippine Coast Guard vessels in Palawan.

When asked whether this case was connected to the arrest of a suspected sleeper agent involved in espionage, Malaya confirmed that investigations are still ongoing. However, he suggested that the seized equipment and phones of the two alleged spies indicated they were part of a larger group.

“If we find further evidence connecting them, we will make the necessary announcement,” he said, adding, “There will be more arrests; we have more than two suspects on our radar.”

Malaya also commended concerned citizens for providing valuable tips leading to these arrests.

Meanwhile, Malaya addressed concerns regarding the case of Chinese national Deng Yuanqing, arrested alongside two Filipino accomplices for alleged espionage. He dismissed claims from the Chinese Embassy that the accusations against Yuanqing were baseless, asserting that there is a solid case against the suspect.

“We’ve built an extensive case against this individual, including surveillance of his movements, which showed him visiting locations of significant military importance,” Malaya explained. Surveillance equipment was found in Yuanqing’s possession during his arrest.

The NSC is pressing forward with charges under the Espionage Act and Cybercrime Law, and Malaya expressed confidence that the evidence against Yuanqing would support a conviction.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that the arrested Chinese spy and his Filipino accomplices had frequented various military and strategic locations, including military camps, power plants, airports, and sites covered by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.

In light of these developments, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada urged Congress to fast-track the amendment of espionage laws, citing the growing need to address evolving espionage methods and technology. Estrada, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, emphasized the importance of balancing national security concerns with the protection of constitutional rights.