AFP supports all measures vs espionage, similar threats

THE military supports all measuresbeingundertaken by the government to counter espionage and other similar threats to the country’s security, the spokesperson of the Armed Forces (AFP) said on Thursday.

- By Rex ANTHONY NAVAL

Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the AFP, made the statement even as she said that the military is aware of reports regarding the dismantling of an alleged espionage network operating within the country.

“Authorities have uncovered and disrupted activities involving Filipino nationals cooperating with investigators, which appear to be linked to foreign-directed malign activities,” she added.

Padilla said this development highlights how modern espionage increasingly utilizes cyber and technological methods, making vigilance and inter-agency cooperation more important than ever.

She added that this situation was detected and addressed through coordinated government action among relevant security and law enforcement agencies.

“The AFP supports ongoing efforts to strengthen safeguards that protect our national security, including the continuing improvement of legal and institutional frameworks to address evolving threats,” Padilla also said.

For security reasons, Padilla said the AFP cannot cannot disclose further operational details.

“At the same time, the Philippines continues to maintain constructive diplomatic engagement with all countries,” she added.

Palace calls for vigilance

MALACAÑANG on Thursday called on all government agencies to be vigilant against possible espionage activities in their offices following the arrest of Filipinos, who engaged in foreign-directed spying.