Expect more arrests after suspected Chinese spy nabbed – NSC | ABS-CBN
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Expect more arrests after suspected Chinese spy nabbed – NSC
Expect more arrests after suspected Chinese spy nabbed – NSC
MANILA — There will be more arrests in the coming days following the arrest of a Chinese national suspected to be a spy, an official of the National Security Council said.
MANILA — There will be more arrests in the coming days following the arrest of a Chinese national suspected to be a spy, an official of the National Security Council said.
According to NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, the government has a “very solid case” against Deng Yuanqing, who was arrested along with two Filipinos, for alleged espionage activities on critical infrastructures like police and military camps and airports and seaports.
According to NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, the government has a “very solid case” against Deng Yuanqing, who was arrested along with two Filipinos, for alleged espionage activities on critical infrastructures like police and military camps and airports and seaports.
“In reaction to what the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese government said, this individual will have his day in court… We have all the necessary evidence to prove his culpability,” Malaya said in a forum on the West Philippine Sea in Quezon City on Wednesday.
“In reaction to what the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese government said, this individual will have his day in court… We have all the necessary evidence to prove his culpability,” Malaya said in a forum on the West Philippine Sea in Quezon City on Wednesday.
He said the government has long been wary of how extensive foreign espionage operations in the country could be and has been taking steps against these.
He said the government has long been wary of how extensive foreign espionage operations in the country could be and has been taking steps against these.
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“We have ramped up our counter-intelligence operations, all government agencies are looking closely at this issue so that we can unravel and disrupt their surveillance operations in the Philippines,” Malaya told reporters in a chance interview after the forum.
“We have ramped up our counter-intelligence operations, all government agencies are looking closely at this issue so that we can unravel and disrupt their surveillance operations in the Philippines,” Malaya told reporters in a chance interview after the forum.
“Given the extent of the investigation being done by the government right now, marami tayong nahuhuli at marami pa tayong mahuhuli sa mga susunod na araw (we have made many arrests, and we will make more arrests in the coming days.”
“Given the extent of the investigation being done by the government right now, marami tayong nahuhuli at marami pa tayong mahuhuli sa mga susunod na araw (we have made many arrests, and we will make more arrests in the coming days.”
Among those arrested are two foreign tourists, who claimed to be Taiwanese, whom residents in Palawan reported were taking cellphone videos of a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the area.
Among those arrested are two foreign tourists, who claimed to be Taiwanese, whom residents in Palawan reported were taking cellphone videos of a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the area.
They also reportedly put up a CCTV camera pointed out to sea.
They also reportedly put up a CCTV camera pointed out to sea.
Malaya said authorities are still investigating if the two have links to Deng.
Malaya said authorities are still investigating if the two have links to Deng.
“Nakuha natin mga cellphone nila, mga equipment nila, at lumalabas doon na grupo nga sila,” Malaya said.
“Nakuha natin mga cellphone nila, mga equipment nila, at lumalabas doon na grupo nga sila,” Malaya said.
(We recovered their cellphones and equipment and it appears that they are part of a group)
(We recovered their cellphones and equipment and it appears that they are part of a group)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines underscored the importance of the public’s involvement in reporting suspicious individuals and activities, stressing that such should not be downplayed.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines underscored the importance of the public’s involvement in reporting suspicious individuals and activities, stressing that such should not be downplayed.
“We value the reports coming from our kababayans,” Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said.
“We value the reports coming from our kababayans,” Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said.
PH NEEDS TO UPDATE LAWS AMID SUSPECTED ESPIONAGE ACTIVITIES – CARPIO
Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio meanwhile said the Philippines needs to update its criminal laws, especially on national security, following the arrest of Deng and his Filipino accomplices for alleged espionage.
Former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio meanwhile said the Philippines needs to update its criminal laws, especially on national security, following the arrest of Deng and his Filipino accomplices for alleged espionage.
Malaya agreed, saying the country’s espionage law is “outdated.”
Malaya agreed, saying the country’s espionage law is “outdated.”
“It needs to be updated. There are several bills now pending in Congress. Unfortunately, given the lack of time that we have, probably this won’t be passed this Congress,” he said.
“It needs to be updated. There are several bills now pending in Congress. Unfortunately, given the lack of time that we have, probably this won’t be passed this Congress,” he said.
“But this will be, again, part of the priorities of the National Security Council.”
“But this will be, again, part of the priorities of the National Security Council.”
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año earlier urged Congress to prioritize the passage of the amendments to the Espionage Act and the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence Bill.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año earlier urged Congress to prioritize the passage of the amendments to the Espionage Act and the Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence Bill.
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WRAP: Why it matters if a party-list rep isn’t from the poor and marginalized
WRAP: Why it matters if a party-list rep isn’t from the poor and marginalized
Jonathan de Santos,
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 17, 2025 01:29 AM PHT
![Clipboard](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/ClipboardNews.png)
Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Batasang Pambansa Complex is under security lockdown as preparations reach the final stages of the SONA slated for July 24. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos
![Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Batasang Pambansa Complex is under security lockdown as preparations reach the final stages of the SONA slated for July 24. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos](https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17397268632161739726907985.jpeg)
MANILA — An election watchdog this week flagged more than half of the groups running in the party-list elections — a system that a campaign strategist said has become a political tool to consolidate power — of having dubious claims of representing the marginalized.
MANILA — An election watchdog this week flagged more than half of the groups running in the party-list elections — a system that a campaign strategist said has become a political tool to consolidate power — of having dubious claims of representing the marginalized.
Worse, 65 of the more than 150 party-list groups seeking seats at the House of Representatives are linked to political families and big business, according to Kontra Daya.
Worse, 65 of the more than 150 party-list groups seeking seats at the House of Representatives are linked to political families and big business, according to Kontra Daya.
Passed into law in 1995 and required by the Constitution since 1987, party-list elections are meant to give Filipinos “belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack well-defined political constituencies” a chance at a seat at the House.
Passed into law in 1995 and required by the Constitution since 1987, party-list elections are meant to give Filipinos “belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack well-defined political constituencies” a chance at a seat at the House.
Since 2013, though, party-list elections have been opened to regional and national parties and nominees no longer have to be from the marginalized sector they represent.
Since 2013, though, party-list elections have been opened to regional and national parties and nominees no longer have to be from the marginalized sector they represent.
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Of the party-lists that Kontra Daya flagged, seven are among the eight projected to win at least one seat in the May elections.
Of the party-lists that Kontra Daya flagged, seven are among the eight projected to win at least one seat in the May elections.
“The party-list system, which is supposed to protect the marginalized — it ends up marginalizing the already marginalized,” Kontra Daya convenor Danila Arao said at the launch of the group’s findings this week.
“The party-list system, which is supposed to protect the marginalized — it ends up marginalizing the already marginalized,” Kontra Daya convenor Danila Arao said at the launch of the group’s findings this week.
He said the entry of party-list groups that may have been organized by or backed by political clans and business interests has edged out groups that do not have money or machinery and who the party-list system was meant for.
He said the entry of party-list groups that may have been organized by or backed by political clans and business interests has edged out groups that do not have money or machinery and who the party-list system was meant for.
Arao said the watchdog is not calling for the party-list system to be scrapped, only returned to its original intent through a Supreme Court review of its 2013 ruling or through new legislation.
Arao said the watchdog is not calling for the party-list system to be scrapped, only returned to its original intent through a Supreme Court review of its 2013 ruling or through new legislation.
"It has really become a political tool for some political dynasties to extend their power… it has become a tool for big business to enter politics," political campaign strategist Alan German told ANC's "Dateline" this week.
"It has really become a political tool for some political dynasties to extend their power… it has become a tool for big business to enter politics," political campaign strategist Alan German told ANC's "Dateline" this week.
"What minority are they representing? What interests of what group are they representing?" he said, adding party-lists have become a tool to "make the strong stronger."
"What minority are they representing? What interests of what group are they representing?" he said, adding party-lists have become a tool to "make the strong stronger."
He said the system has been "misused and abused to make a majority a super majority…because you’re seeing relatives of politicians in power who are just taking over party-lists or being named as nominees of others."
He said the system has been "misused and abused to make a majority a super majority…because you’re seeing relatives of politicians in power who are just taking over party-lists or being named as nominees of others."
'OUR TRACK RECORDS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES'
But party-list groups flagged by Kontra Daya say they have managed to help the poor and marginalized.
But party-list groups flagged by Kontra Daya say they have managed to help the poor and marginalized.
House Assistant Majority Leader Raul Angelo Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list said his group — which Kontra Daya links to conglomerate Sunwest Group through Rep. Elizaldy Co — to has programs “that have directly benefited thousands of our constituents, especially those in vulnerable and underserved communities.”
House Assistant Majority Leader Raul Angelo Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list said his group — which Kontra Daya links to conglomerate Sunwest Group through Rep. Elizaldy Co — to has programs “that have directly benefited thousands of our constituents, especially those in vulnerable and underserved communities.”
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list said the group's "track record speaks for itself — we’ve passed more than 40 legislative measures into law just this term, addressing key issues that matter to Filipinos."
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list said the group's "track record speaks for itself — we’ve passed more than 40 legislative measures into law just this term, addressing key issues that matter to Filipinos."
Acidre added: "Tingog Centers nationwide provide direct assistance to those who need it most."
Acidre added: "Tingog Centers nationwide provide direct assistance to those who need it most."
Tingog's other representative at the House is Yedda Romualdez, wife of House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Their son Andrew Julian is the party-list's first nominee in the May polls.
Tingog's other representative at the House is Yedda Romualdez, wife of House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Their son Andrew Julian is the party-list's first nominee in the May polls.
ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, a candidate for senator, meanwhile, said he does not know what Arao is talking about.
ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, a candidate for senator, meanwhile, said he does not know what Arao is talking about.
“Kasi dapat party-list should represent a sector. Pero if they are not representing a sector, bakit inaprubahan ng Comelec? Dapat ibato ‘yung question na ‘yan sa Comelec,” he said.
“Kasi dapat party-list should represent a sector. Pero if they are not representing a sector, bakit inaprubahan ng Comelec? Dapat ibato ‘yung question na ‘yan sa Comelec,” he said.
(If party-lists should represent sectors, and if they are not representing a sector, then why did the Commission on Elections approve their application? That question should be addressed to Comelec.)
(If party-lists should represent sectors, and if they are not representing a sector, then why did the Commission on Elections approve their application? That question should be addressed to Comelec.)
Kontra Daya flagged ACT-CIS for ties to the Tulfo — one senator, two party-list and a district representative — and Yap — a party-list rep and a district representative — families.
Kontra Daya flagged ACT-CIS for ties to the Tulfo — one senator, two party-list and a district representative — and Yap — a party-list rep and a district representative — families.
"I’ve worked hard building up my educational background to best serve the Filipino people and spent the past 10 years in public service working my way up from researcher to chief of staff," Brian Poe Llamanzares, son of Sen. Grace Poe and first nominee of FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list, said.
"I’ve worked hard building up my educational background to best serve the Filipino people and spent the past 10 years in public service working my way up from researcher to chief of staff," Brian Poe Llamanzares, son of Sen. Grace Poe and first nominee of FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list, said.
REPRESENTATION STILL KEY
While richer party-lists can arguably perform their duties as lawmakers, lack of seats at the House deprives the marginalized of a key thing, Dr. Anthony Lawrence Borja, who has a PhD in Public Administration from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said: Representation.
While richer party-lists can arguably perform their duties as lawmakers, lack of seats at the House deprives the marginalized of a key thing, Dr. Anthony Lawrence Borja, who has a PhD in Public Administration from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said: Representation.
"Representation involves making someone absent present. In this case, representing the marginalized entails making them present in government," Borja told ABS-CBN News in an online exchange.
"Representation involves making someone absent present. In this case, representing the marginalized entails making them present in government," Borja told ABS-CBN News in an online exchange.
"The representative serves as their mouth and ears and such a function will fail if the supposed representative is detached from the hearts, minds, struggles, and interests of the represented."
"The representative serves as their mouth and ears and such a function will fail if the supposed representative is detached from the hearts, minds, struggles, and interests of the represented."
If supposed representatives don't have a clear picture of their constituents' lives and the problems they face, "they might end up pursuing their own private interests or working for a fictional, romanticized, or downright inaccurate portrayal of the represented," he said.
If supposed representatives don't have a clear picture of their constituents' lives and the problems they face, "they might end up pursuing their own private interests or working for a fictional, romanticized, or downright inaccurate portrayal of the represented," he said.
Borja, an associate professor at De La Salle University's Department of Political Science and Development Studies, is not hopeful for reforms to the system, noting caps on the number of seats at the House of party-lists leave them outnumbered by district representatives.
Borja, an associate professor at De La Salle University's Department of Political Science and Development Studies, is not hopeful for reforms to the system, noting caps on the number of seats at the House of party-lists leave them outnumbered by district representatives.
Of those representatives, eight in every ten is a member of a political dynasty, according to a 2024 tally by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
Of those representatives, eight in every ten is a member of a political dynasty, according to a 2024 tally by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
"The moment it was pursued in an oligarchy, it was condemned to be abused by the ruling elites while imposing severe restrictions for authentic representatives," Borja said.
"The moment it was pursued in an oligarchy, it was condemned to be abused by the ruling elites while imposing severe restrictions for authentic representatives," Borja said.
Given that and with little hope for amendments by Congress, Arao said the best that voters can do is to add to public pressure to fix the party-list system and to learn more about party-list groups they are considering supporting.
Given that and with little hope for amendments by Congress, Arao said the best that voters can do is to add to public pressure to fix the party-list system and to learn more about party-list groups they are considering supporting.
He said the public should scrutinize all nominees of a party, and not only those who were listed as first three nominees — party-lists can have a maximum of three seats — since "members of political clans" may be "listed in bottom numbers". — from reporting by Raphael Bosano, Ched Rick Gatchalian, Harlene Delgado, Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
He said the public should scrutinize all nominees of a party, and not only those who were listed as first three nominees — party-lists can have a maximum of three seats — since "members of political clans" may be "listed in bottom numbers". — from reporting by Raphael Bosano, Ched Rick Gatchalian, Harlene Delgado, Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
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