Building on investigations since 2023 into Chinese recruitment of Filipinos for espionage, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Department of National Defense (DND) Insider Threat Program uncovered at least three cases of local personnel providing sensitive security and defense information. Officials confirmed the operations have been terminated, urging vigilance among government employees.
Rappler's reporting reveals how young, financially vulnerable DND and Navy employees were targeted. Lawrence*, who joined DND in 2023 and transferred to the Navy in July 2024, was recruited by friend Harley* for a 'consultancy firm.' Initial payments of P5,000 for articles escalated to sharing files on Philippines' international relations and Rotation and Resupply (RORE) missions in the West Philippine Sea. He later dealt with Scott Chan, receiving cash via Pasay City lockers. 'I wasn’t blinded, but I chose to blur my point of view,' Lawrence said in a December 2025 interview.
Alison* was approached on LinkedIn by Ken*, then Jason*, who sought details on the US-PH alliance, AFP modernization, and RORE missions—receiving up to P60,000 via GCash. 'He told me he didn’t care about internal security. He wanted to know about the international partnerships,' she said.
AFP spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad confirmed: 'Concerned individuals have undergone appropriate processing, are now under the control of the AFP and their cases are now considered closed.' National Security Council Assistant Director General Cornelio H. Valencia Jr. added that 'operations of these individuals acting on the behest of Chinese Intelligence have been addressed and terminated.' Malacañang Undersecretary Claire Castro reminded: 'Guard your offices, protect sensitive government information.'
These revelations come amid broader efforts to update outdated espionage laws, as previously reported.
