The Philippines expressed concern over media reports that claimed there were foreign covert operations in the country on Thursday ( October 3 ), saying it is coordinating with relevant organizations to address the issue.
The Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA ) did not identify any foreign actors or organizations in its statement, but a spokesperson for the agency said it was responding to an Al Jazeera 101 East documentary about a Chinese fugitive who was being held in Thailand.
The criminal, She Zhijiang, is wanted by Beijing for allegedly running illegitimate online gaming operations.
He was quoted in the video claiming that he once spied for China and that he was hired in the Philippines in soon 2016.
He was quoted in the film also saying he and Alice Guo, past Spanish governor of Bamban in Tarlac state, worked for China’s Ministry of State Security, the principal agency overseeing unusual intelligence.
According to DFA spokesman Teresita Daza, the ministry has reviewed reports and press reports that contain pertinent information about alleged foreign covert operations in the Philippines in accordance with its authority to assist in protecting national security.
The office is keeping an eye on important developments in this area and takes these reports really.