The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality presents a portion of a conversation with Wang Fugui, who claimed that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is a spy, during a hearing in Pasay City on October 8, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — At least two bills filed in the House of Representatives seek to expand the scope of anti-espionage laws to include times of peace and to impose heavier penalties for acts of spying.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District filed separate bills to penalize espionage not only during times of war but also in times of peace, and to impose heavier penalties on various acts of spying.

'Hindi ako spy!' Alice Guo loses cool over 'Chinese spy' docu

Rodriguez in a statement said he filed the two bills "to address concerns that there are Chinese and other foreign spies lurking in national government offices, local government units, the diplomatic community, and even in the private sector, adding that "there are also Filipinos spying for foreign governments."

"We have to be wary of these Trojan horses, especially our compatriots who sell their souls and services to foreign interests," he said, stressing that the grip on spies has to be tightened amid the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Rodriguez pointed out that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is an alleged Chinese spy, although she has vehemently denied the accusation.

The lawmaker's filing of the two bills was also prompted by the urgent call of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for Congress to amend laws on espionage. Teodoro has lamented that the law on spying is applicable only during wartime.

PH defense secretary calls for urgent amendments to espionage law

Rodriguez said in his explanatory notes that there is a need to review the present laws on espionage and amend the same "to make them adapt to the situation in light of evolving global security threats, technological advancements and the changing nature of espionage activities."

The lawmaker added that the country "faces numerous threats from foreign intelligence services, terrorist organizations and cybercriminals."

His bills seek "to address these concerns by amending and augmenting current legal provisions to provide comprehensive protection against espionage and related offenses."

"By enhancing penalties and updating definitions to align with contemporary security challenges, the legislation aims to bolster the Philippines’ ability to preserve and protect its national security interests," he said.

The penalty of prison correctional (six months and one day to six years) will be imposed on any person who:

- Enters without authority a warship, fort, or naval or military establishment or reservation to obtain any information

- Plans, photographs, or other data of a confidential nature relative to the defense of the Philippine archipelago

- Being in possession, because of the public office they hold, of the articles, data, or information referred to in the preceding paragraph, discloses their contents to a representative of a foreign nation

The next higher penalty would be imposed if the offender is a public officer or employee, Rodriguez said.

Bill No. 10988, meanwhile, would expand the coverage of espionage and provide higher penalties for violations thereof.

The proposed heavier penalties for various acts of espionage in peacetime and wartime include the following:

- Life imprisonment and a fine of not less than P2 million

- Life imprisonment or a fine of not less than P1 million or both

- Imprisonment of not more than 30 years or a fine of not less than P500,000 or both

- A jail term of 10 years to 12 years or a fine of not less than P500,000 or both

Rodriguez urged leaders of Congress to prioritize his proposed bills.

RELATED VIDEO: