The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Immigration have strengthened security cooperation following reports of a suspected rise in espionage activities involving foreign nationals.

Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete and BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado signed a memorandum of understanding on 23 February 2026 at the Headquarters Philippine Army in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The agreement seeks to enhance coordination between the two agencies amid recent arrests of foreigners suspected of intelligence-gathering activities that could threaten national security.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it is intensifying coordination with the AFP, BI and other agencies to monitor and investigate suspected espionage activities.

The move follows AFP reports of increased arrests of foreign nationals allegedly engaged in intelligence operations.

On 20 February, the BI arrested Chinese national Zhi Ling Guan, also known as Shi Nengyuan and Mike Sy, in Batangas for allegedly falsely claiming Filipino citizenship and using fraudulent documents. Authorities said he used multiple identities to obtain Philippine documents, including a passport. He was also cited for material misrepresentation under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.

Earlier, on 12 February, authorities arrested a Mongolian national in Zambales who was allegedly linked to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

Bold-Erdene Boldbaatar, 30, an aviation student, reportedly failed to disclose his military background and jet fighter license from the PLA Air Force Aviation University. He was declared an undesirable alien for posing a potential security threat after allegedly taking aerial photographs of Iba airport and nearby areas.

"Our mandate to maintain peace and order includes a commitment to protect the interest of the Filipino people and the sovereignty of our country from any foreign threat. We will keep it that way," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Nartatez added that the PNP will continue working with the AFP and BI to verify possible links involving the arrested individuals.

During the signing ceremony, Nafarrete emphasized the importance of seamless interagency coordination and a whole-of-government approach to national defense.

For his part, Viado underscored the bureau’s role as the country’s front-line agency in monitoring the entry and exit of foreign nationals.

Senior officials from the Philippine Army and the BI witnessed the signing, signaling what both institutions described as a strong and sustained commitment to security cooperation.