Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (seated, second from left), flanked by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and NBI Director JaimeSantiago, on Monday presents to reporters a suspected Chinese spy and his two Filipino cohorts. (INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) has called on Congress to prioritize the passage of tamendments to the Espionage Act and the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence bill following the arrest of a suspected Chinese “sleeper agent” allegedly involved in espionage.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the arrest “highlights the need for continuous vigilance, strengthened coordination among government agencies, and proactive measures to fortify our national security framework.” 

“In light of these developments, we urge Congress to prioritize the passage of the amendments to the Espionage Act as well as the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence bill,” Año said in a statement on Tuesday.  

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“Strengthening our legal framework is essential to effectively address evolving security threats and to ensure that those who seek to compromise our national security will face the full force of the law,” he added. 

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In October last year, Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez revealed that he filed House Bill Nos. 10983 and 10988, which seek to amend the Commonwealth Act No. 616 enacted in June 1941, and the espionage provisions in the Revised Penal Code, which took effect in 1932.

The bills specifically seek to amend the espionage law to enable it during peacetime since provisions of the Commonwealth Act No. 616 state that it can only be applied if it was committed during wartime.

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Commonwealth Act No. 616 was enacted “to punish espionage and offenses against national security, covering acts such as unlawfully obtaining and disclosing information, engaging in disloyal acts, spreading false reports, and destroying war material, with violators facing imprisonment and fines.”

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In addition, Año said they are committed to “working closely with all instrumentalities of government and stakeholders” to strengthen the country’s national security and protect the welfare of the Filipino people. 

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He likewise urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities that threaten the country’s security to the Philippine National Police and other security and intelligence agencies.

National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago identified the arrested Chinese national as Deng Yuanqing, a technical software engineer connected with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

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Santiago said Deng studied at the PLA-controlled University of Science and Technology in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China and specializes in control engineering and automation systems.

Deng was arrested in Makati City last Friday, along with his Filipino cohorts, Ronel Jojo Balundo Besa and Jason Amado Fernandez.

“We commend the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the intelligence community for their vigilance and effective operations that led to the arrest of a Chinese national and two Filipino associates actively engaged in sophisticated surveillance, espionage, and intelligence-gathering activities in the country,” Año said in the same statement. 

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“Their diligent efforts underscore the government’s commitment to safeguarding our nation from any and all activities that undermine our national security. The arrest of these individuals is a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by foreign interference and malign influence to the countryjilihot,” he added. 

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