PNP boosts coordination with AFP vs espionage activities

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it ordered its units to closely coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to strengthen counterintelligence and security operations amid an increasing trend of espionage in the country.

In a statement, the PNP said PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed field units to work with the AFP, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and monitor suspected intelligence-gathering activities by foreign nationals.

“Our mandate to maintain peace and order includes a commitment to protect the interests of the Filipino people and the sovereignty of our country from any foreign threat. We will keep it that way,” he added.

Nartatez said he issued the order following reports from the AFP about an increase in foreigners arrested on suspicion of intelligence-gathering, which it flagged as a developing trend that could threaten national security.

READ: AFP warns espionage on the rise in PH

Among the incidents was the arrest of a Chinese national identified as Zhi Ling Guan, also known as Shi Nengyuan and Mike Sy, who the Bureau of Immigration in Batangas apprehended on Feb. 20 for falsely claiming Filipino citizenship and using fraudulent documents.

Authorities also arrested a Mongolian national linked to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in Zambales on Feb. 12.

“We will work closely with the Bureau of Immigration to verify whether these arrested foreign nationals are connected and to uncover the full scope of their activities in the country,” Nartatez said. /mcm