Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is closely monitoring reports of alleged foreign covert operations taking place in the Philippines, spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA has taken note of information suggesting foreign covert activities within the country. The department is coordinating with other government agencies to assess the situation and ensure that national security concerns are addressed.
“The Department has noted reports containing relevant information on alleged foreign covert operations in the Philippines. In accordance with its mandate to help protect national security, the Department takes such reports seriously and is monitoring relevant developments in this regard,” Daza told reporters at the DFA office in Pasay.
The statement from the DFA came after a House panel discussed an Al Jazeera documentary that featured Chinese tycoon She Zhijiang, who claimed to have been a Chinese spy and said he had spoken with former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
When asked if the DFA had contacted Chinese officials about the matter, Daza said there was no information available yet. However, she emphasized that the DFA is coordinating with other relevant agencies and is aware of the documentary.
In a related interview with ABS-CBN, the National Security Council (NSC) said the government has “effective counterintelligence efforts” in place to counter foreign espionage activities. NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya noted that they are validating the information disclosed by She, as the tycoon is a wanted criminal and leader of an international crime syndicate.