NSC, PNP validating Guo espionage story

DND chief: Espionage law needs amendment

- EMMANUEL TUPAS and PIA LEE-BRAGO

The National Security Council (NSC) and police intelligence units are validating the claim of jailed tycoon She Zhejiang that dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo is a Chinese spy.

In an Al Jazeera documentary, self-confessed Chinese spy She, who is detained in Thailand, urged Guo Hua Ping - believed to be the Chinese name of Alice Guo to "tell the world the truth." NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya told state television PTV4 that the council is studying She's claims because of its security implications.

"We will have to consult with our partner agencies abroad so that we can piece together and find the real reason and real personality of Alice Guo, if she is really an agent of the PRC (People's Republic of China)," Malaya said.

He said the information from She is for validation as he is a wanted criminal in China being detained in Bangkok upon the request of the Chinese government. He is fighting extradition charges going to China," Malaya said.

"If it turns out in our investigation that she is indeed a spy of the Ministry of (State) Security of the PRC, which is like the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency of the United States) or MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6 of the United Kingdom), it has a big implication because it means that the PRC has such operations going on in our country," he added.

Last Friday, Guo became emotional during a congressional hearing after being shown the AI Jazeera documentary and She's revelation as a self-confessed Chinese spy.

An AI Jazeera researcher also found that Guo's address in Fujian province in China was the local office of the Chinese Communist Party.

'Amend espionage law'

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday called for an amendment of the country's espionage law to punish those involved in spying activities even during times of peace.