MANILA -  Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said he will raise the issue of alleged foreign covert operations in the Philippines during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos next week.

“Of course, we will raise that with China there,” Manalo told reporters when asked about it in Malacanang Friday.

The Philippines' National Security Council on Monday said it was validating the claim of a detained tycoon that former mayor Alice Guo is a Chinese spy.

Last week, an Al Jazeera documentary was shown at the House quad committee hearing where tycoon She Zhijiang claimed to be a former spy for China's Ministry of State Security. He said he and Guo Hua Ping — the alleged Chinese name of Alice Guo — dedicated their lives to China's intelligence agency and urged the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor to "tell the world the truth" if she does not want to be "eliminated."

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza on Thursday said that the agency is taking very seriously reports of foreign spies operating in the country and is currently “monitoring relevant developments in this regard.” 

“Of course, we are looking into that but I cannot divulge the details,” Manalo said.

The DFA on Friday said it canceled Guo's passport after her biometrics matched that of Chinese Guo Hua Ping in the National Bureau of Investigation’s files. 

The Foreign Affairs Chief however said that there is no ongoing coordination with the Chinese government regarding claims of Beijing’s alleged espionage activities in the Philippines.

“I’m not aware of any, not with DFA. I don’t know the other agencies,” he said.

DFA Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu earlier said that Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will attend the 

The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits will be held next week. The Chinese leader is set to hold talks with Heads of State of ASEAN-member countries during the 27th ASEAN-China Summit, ASEAN-Plus 3 Summit, and the ASEAN-East Asia Summit.