NSC asks Congress to strengthen anti-espionage law

Following the arrest of a Chinese national and his two Filipino associates on charges of spying, the National Security Council (NSC) is asking Congress to strengthen the country's laws against espionage.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

In a statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said lawmakers should "prioritize the passage of the amendments to the Espionage Act as well as the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence bill."

"Strengthening our legal framework is essential to effectively address evolving security threats and to ensure that those who seek to compromise our national security will face the full force of the law," Año stressed.

"The recent apprehensions highlight the need for continuous vigilance, strengthened coordination among government agencies and proactive measures to fortify our national security framework," he added.

The NSC, Año said, commends the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the intelligence community for their vigilance and effective operations that led to the arrest of Chinese national Yuanqing Deng last Friday outside a condominium in Makati City.