Chinese National Arrested by Philippine Authorities on Military Espionage Charges

• A Chinese national and two Filipino accomplices are accused of surveillance of critical infrastructures, including military facilities in the Philippines.
• NBI said the individual is reportedly connected to the China-based Army Engineering University of the People's Liberation Army.
• Authorities confirmed the Chinese national had been residing in the Philippines for at least five years.

Philippine authorities have apprehended a Chinese national, Deng Yuanqing, on allegations of espionage following the discovery of equipment believed to be intended for surveillance of military facilities. Deng, along with two alleged Filipino accomplices, was presented to the press after his arrest.  

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) uncovered that Deng is allegedly linked to the Army Engineering University of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which is based in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. 

NBI Director Jaime Santiago disclosed that Deng was part of a suspected espionage group being monitored closely by intelligence agencies, according to a press release.  

Santiago stated that the group was reportedly conducting surveillance activities targeting critical infrastructures, including Philippine military installations. These sites included locations where U.S. forces have been granted access under an existing military agreement, added the country’s armed forces chief, General Romeo Brawner.  

“We are just looking into the overall espionage effort of China,” Brawner said during the press conference. Santiago revealed, “We seized his vehicle and mounted on it was espionage equipment. It is possible that some of the collected information has already been transmitted to China.”  

Investigators further identified Deng as a "sleeper agent" who had been residing in the Philippines for at least five years, based on his passport details. The NBI Cybercrime chief confirmed Deng's lengthy stay in the country, raising concerns over the potential scale of data gathering during his presence.  

This arrest comes amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China, fueled by disputes in the South China Sea. Manila has grown increasingly wary of China's activities, including actions by its coast guard and fishing militia within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. 

Both nations have overlapping territorial claims, which have led to frequent maritime standoffs marked by mutual accusations of intrusion. 

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to comment on the incident. Authorities in the Philippines continue investigations into the broader espionage implications, focusing on the intent and depth of Chinese intelligence operations on the nation’s strategic and military infrastructure.

Recently, a hacker operating under the Zodiac Killer alias claimed responsibility for compromising NBI’s systems and leaking highly sensitive information. The NBI Director said the breach originated from a third-party provider handling clearance apps.