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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Makabayan eyes probe on Chinese 'sleeper cells' in the Philippines

Makabayan eyes probe on Chinese 'sleeper cells' in the Philippines

Published Apr 17, 2024 07:00 am

At A Glance

  • Members of the Makabayan bloc have filed a House resolution that seeks an investigation into the alleged existence of Chinese sleeper cells in the country as well as the alleged recruitment of active and retired military personnel by foreign-based firms.

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Members of the Makabayan bloc have filed a House resolution that seeks to investigate the alleged existence of Chinese "sleeper cells" in the country as well as the alleged recruitment of active and retired military personnel by foreign-based firms.

Under House Resolution (HR) No. 1682, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel collectively urged the Committee on National Defense and Security to take charge of the investigation.

The militant lawmakers stressed that these allegations are “serious matters of national security”, especially with China’s heightened aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

As cited in the resolution, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has already started working with other government agencies to probe the supposed recruitment activities of China-based firms pretending to be from Western counties or affiliated from the United States (US) military.

As revealed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), there are Chinese companies actively recruiting retired and active duty personnel into part-time jobs, mainly as online analysts.

The AFP insists that the main motive behind this reported recruitment is to obtain data from the armed forces.

If this allegation is proven to be legitimate, the Makabayan bloc members suggests that there is a “serious problem” with the AFP since its members are being attracted by these foreign-based firms.

The resolution also noted that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was informed last year on the alleged presence of Chinese sleeper cells in the country. These sleeper cells are secretive groups on standby that conduct “infiltration and intervention activities”.

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines was quick to deny these allegations, and labeled them as “merely malicious speculate groundless accusation against China with the purpose of inciting Sinophobic sentiments”.

“It is of the best interest of the Filipino people that the Philippines not become a battleground of these imperialist countries, and that the Philippine government and its military not be subservient to any imperialist power/interest,” the resolution read.

“The Philippine government should have a foreign policy that is independent, peace-oriented, and non-aligned,” it added.

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