Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday urged heightened vigilance across government offices after the National Security Council (NSC) uncovered espionage operations and foreign-directed malign activities in the country linked to China. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said security agencies have acted against individuals identified under the government's Insider Threat Program. She called on government offices to secure sensitive information and remain alert against threats to national security.

According to Philippines News Agency, the NSC earlier described the case as a "serious national security matter" involving Filipino nationals allegedly acting on behalf of Chinese intelligence. The council said the operations have been "addressed and terminated," with the individuals apprehended through joint counterintelligence efforts.

"For reasons of national security, we cannot discuss identities, methods, or timelines so as not to jeopardize ongoing operations. Nonetheless, necessary actions have been taken against the individuals concerned - all Filipino nationals - who have all confessed their complicity in espionage activities and are cooperating with authorities," the NSC said.

The arrests were carried out under the Insider Threat Program, which seeks to protect sensitive government information and critical infrastructure from foreign espionage, coercion, or malicious compromise. The NSC also appealed to Congress to prioritize the passage of the proposed Anti-Espionage Bill and the Anti-Foreign Malign Influence and Interference Act to strengthen the country's legal tools against covert foreign state operations.