PH seeks China approval to access 3 Filipinos accused of espionage | ABS-CBN
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PH seeks China approval to access 3 Filipinos accused of espionage
PH seeks China approval to access 3 Filipinos accused of espionage
Chinese flags are seen on buildings in the Huangpu district in Shanghai on February 20, 2025. Hector Retamal, AFP
Chinese flags are seen on buildings in the Huangpu district in Shanghai on February 20, 2025. Hector Retamal, AFPMANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said authorities were working on getting a lawyer to be able to visit the three Filipinos detained in Hainan, China over espionage allegations.
MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said authorities were working on getting a lawyer to be able to visit the three Filipinos detained in Hainan, China over espionage allegations.
“We already funded the lawyer. There's a local lawyer taking on their case funded by the Philippines, by DFA Legal Assistance Fund and we're strongly requesting the Chinese authorities for this lawyer at least to allow to see them in their detention in Hainan,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega told the media.
“We already funded the lawyer. There's a local lawyer taking on their case funded by the Philippines, by DFA Legal Assistance Fund and we're strongly requesting the Chinese authorities for this lawyer at least to allow to see them in their detention in Hainan,” DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Eduardo de Vega told the media.
“But for that, kailangan din ng approval ng provincial governor. So we're working on that,” he added.
“But for that, kailangan din ng approval ng provincial governor. So we're working on that,” he added.
PH 'ALARMED'
The National Security Council (NSC) previously expressed alarm on the espionage charges and the alleged confession of the three Filipinos, who were previous recipients of the Hainan Government Scholarship program.
The National Security Council (NSC) previously expressed alarm on the espionage charges and the alleged confession of the three Filipinos, who were previous recipients of the Hainan Government Scholarship program.
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This was after a footage of the three Filipinos being questioned by Chinese police was aired by Chinese state television CCTV on April 5.
This was after a footage of the three Filipinos being questioned by Chinese police was aired by Chinese state television CCTV on April 5.
“The ‘confessions’ appear to be scripted, strongly suggesting that they were not made freely,” said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya in a statement on the same day.
“The ‘confessions’ appear to be scripted, strongly suggesting that they were not made freely,” said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya in a statement on the same day.
The DFA previously said it told the Chinese government that the three Filipinos should be accorded due process and full respect of their rights in accordance with domestic law and the Philippine-China Consular Agreement.
The DFA previously said it told the Chinese government that the three Filipinos should be accorded due process and full respect of their rights in accordance with domestic law and the Philippine-China Consular Agreement.
Article 13 of the consular agreement made in 2009 states: "A consular officer shall be entitled to visit a national of the sending State who is under detention, arrest or deprived of freedom by any other means, to converse or communicate with him in any language or dialect known to the detained national relating to his condition and his case and to arrange legal assistance for him."
Article 13 of the consular agreement made in 2009 states: "A consular officer shall be entitled to visit a national of the sending State who is under detention, arrest or deprived of freedom by any other means, to converse or communicate with him in any language or dialect known to the detained national relating to his condition and his case and to arrange legal assistance for him."
Malacañang on Monday already assured full assistance to the three Filipinos and refused to comment on speculations that their detention was part of China’s retaliatory actions on the Philippines’ prior arrest of Chinese nationals for espionage activities.
Malacañang on Monday already assured full assistance to the three Filipinos and refused to comment on speculations that their detention was part of China’s retaliatory actions on the Philippines’ prior arrest of Chinese nationals for espionage activities.
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'HIGH STAKES' CASE
De Vega acknowledged that "high stakes" were involved in the case.
De Vega acknowledged that "high stakes" were involved in the case.
“From what the Office of the President and what the NSC already said, we deny that there was espionage... High stakes ‘to, so that we don’t see anything which will impact not only the case, but Philippine-Chinese overall relations,” he said.
“From what the Office of the President and what the NSC already said, we deny that there was espionage... High stakes ‘to, so that we don’t see anything which will impact not only the case, but Philippine-Chinese overall relations,” he said.
“I can confirm that our ambassador in Beijing, Consul General in Guangzhou…we're talking to the Chinese authorities, lawyers, everything, kasi lahat na ito nasa legal na and we'll see what we can do. But we know na matagal nang hinihingi ng family na tulungan…So hopefully, there will be some good news and at least we could have our lawyers see them,” he added.
“I can confirm that our ambassador in Beijing, Consul General in Guangzhou…we're talking to the Chinese authorities, lawyers, everything, kasi lahat na ito nasa legal na and we'll see what we can do. But we know na matagal nang hinihingi ng family na tulungan…So hopefully, there will be some good news and at least we could have our lawyers see them,” he added.
De Vega said that Chinese officials in the Philippines have been informed of the Philippines’ request for lawyers to see the three Filipinos detained in Hainan.
De Vega said that Chinese officials in the Philippines have been informed of the Philippines’ request for lawyers to see the three Filipinos detained in Hainan.
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