Chinese flags are seen on buildings in the Huangpu district in Shanghai on February 20, 2025. Hector Retamal, AFP

MANILA -- Malacanang on Monday assured that the Philippine government will provide legal assistance to the three Filipinos arrested in China for allegedly spying on Chinese military facilities.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that this was the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for all Filipinos facing charges abroad. 

"Yes. There is always an instruction to help our Filipino citizens abroad facing these kinds of charges. Legal assistance will always be given, all the necessary help and assistance will be provided," Castro said.

China said last Thursday that it had "destroyed" an intelligence network set up by the Philippine espionage agency and arrested three spies from the country.

READ: China arrests three Filipinos suspected of spying

State broadcaster CCTV reported that authorities had identified one of the suspected spies as a Philippine national who had lived and worked in China long-term and had been found conducting espionage near military facilities.

The CCTV report included a video of his arrest and what appeared to be a recorded confession.

Footage of the three Filipinos were aired by Chinese state television on Saturday, with the individuals seen speaking to and being questioned by police.

The National Security Council has already cast doubts on the "confessions" made by the three Filipinos, noting that their statements appeared to be fabricated.

READ: NSC casts doubt on ‘confessions’ by Filipinos arrested in China for alleged espionage

Meanwhile, Castro refused to comment on speculations that the charges against the Filipinos is retaliation by China over the arrest of their nationals in the Philippines for espionage.

"We believe that is just the part of the initial investigation, there is no concrete evidence yet if it is really a retaliation or a part of retaliation of the other country. We will not say that because there is no final investigation on that matter. But there is still an ongoing investigation on that and we will just defer all the details to DFA and to DND," she said.

At least five Chinese nationals were arrested on suspicion of espionage in January and another two in February by Philippine authorities.

Last week, the Chinese embassy in Manila issued a travel warning to its citizens about frequent "harassment" from Philippine law enforcement agencies.

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