Philippines Eyes Stricter Anti-Spy Laws as Espionage Fears Grow

Arrest of alleged Chinese spy just the 'tip of the iceberg,' says National Security Council

- Mara Cepeda

MANILA - The Philippine authorities are pushing for tougher anti-espionage laws after the recent arrest of a suspected Chinese spy raised concerns over foreign intelligence threats to national security.

The government suspects China has "extensive operations" to infiltrate the Philippines' security infrastructure as tensions mount over the South China Sea, National Security Council spokesman Jonathan Malaya said during a public forum on the sea dispute held in Manila on Jan. 29.

He said the arrest of alleged Chinese spy Deng Yuanqing and two of his Filipino cohorts on Jan. 17 was just the "tip of the iceberg" of Beijing's alleged espionage activities. He added that it highlights the need to give more teeth to the Philippines' outdated espionage laws.

Mr. Malaya asked lawmakers to pass the pending bill amending the World War II-era Espionage Act and another bill aimed to counter foreign interference and malign operations in the country.

"These amendments are clearly very needed, given the fact we are slowly uncovering a lot of intelligence operations being done by foreign powers in the Philippines," he said, adding that by amending the anti-espionage laws, "we will be able to complete our defense system against them (spies) because we really need good legal foundations to be able to proceed forward."

The Philippines' Espionage Act, enacted in June 1941, punishes spying and other offenses against national security. But the anti-espionage provision applies only during times of war.

The law also punishes those convicted of spying with imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 10,000 pesos (S$230), which Mr. Malaya said would not be enough to deter espionage activities.