Chinese Spy Ring in the Philippines

By Lauren Ho

Amidst the Philippine’s continued political unrest, concerns of a Chinese spy-ring are now plaguing the nation. On January 20, 2025 a Chinese national, Deng Yuanqing, was arrested by Philippine law enforcement under suspicion of spying on multiple Filipino military facilities. Deng was found to be a member of a spy ring that was under investigation by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation. The spy ring was suspected of conducting surveillance and reconnaissance on the Philippine’s critical infrastructure and military facilities. In Deng’s possessions were maps and blueprints of various facilities further proving the espionage operations.

Since the arrest of Deng, five more Chinese nationals were apprehended by Filipino law enforcement. Similarly to Deng, the individuals were found to be conducting reconnaissance on the Filipino military and law enforcement bases. The individuals possessed photos of various Filipino Navy ships and piers from their aerial reconnaissance. Additionally, their connection to the spy ring was determined by Deng’s monthly meetings with them. However, it remains unclear if the network is state-sponsored.