Visitors enjoy a sunset cruise and yacht party as part of the tourist offering of the Subic Bay Freeport on December 12, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will intensify security measures in the freeport zone following the arrest of foreign nationals allegedly involved in espionage and kidnapping activities.

Armie Llamas, SBMA OIC Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications, expressed alarm over the incident and emphasized the need for heightened security in the area.

“Nakakaalarma po ‘yun dahil para po magkaroon ng ganyan, kelangan we have to beef up ‘yung security natin,” Llamas said.

“Kami naman po ay always in coordination with law enforcement agencies.”

Six foreign nationals and two Filipinos were apprehended in Grande Island, Subic Bay on Wednesday.

6 foreigners, 2 Pinoys nabbed in Subic Bay over 'suspected espionage'

According to the Department of National Defense (DND), the suspects were using private enterprises as a cover for their alleged illegal activities.

However, the SBMA has yet to determine how long the suspects had been renting the resort.

“Hindi rin po siya nakalagay dun sa nilagay ng release. We don’t have information kung gaano katagal po. Ang alam lang po namin that person was apprehended in the resort,” Llamas said.

They also clarified that they have limited information regarding the alleged espionage activities.

“Ang pwede lang nating i-reveal na mga detalye would be ‘yung alleged suspect sa kidnapping is siya ‘yung na-apprehend sa Grande Island. Accordingly, ‘yun po ‘yung recent na teenager na merong mutilation na nangyari sa kamay nung bata,” she explained. 

“Nagkataon lang po na dito sa area ng SBMA nangyari pero ‘yun lang po basically ang participation lang po ng SBMA. Ang lead agency would be the NBI,” she added. 

In a statement, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño lauded the efforts of the inter-agency team led by the NBI in apprehending the suspects and assured the public that the Subic Bay Freeport is not a safe haven for criminals.

“Such activities, which may be part of larger criminal network operations, pose a serious threat to our national security,” the statement read.

The DND confirmed the report and announced plans to collaborate with the SBMA and other concerned agencies.