The Chinese Embassy urged the Philippine government to base its judgment on facts as it described the so-called espionage operation of a Chinese National as "baseless."

A spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said this after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a suspected Chinese spy and two Filipino cohorts this week.

The arrested individuals are suspected of conducting surveillance operations on military camps and other vital installations in the Philippines.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy asked the Philippine government not to air groundless accusations.

"The so-called 'espionage' operation of a Chinese citizen in the Philippines is baseless speculation and accusation," the Embassy spokesman said.

"We urge the Philippine side to base its judgment on facts, not to make presumptions of guilt, stop airing groundless speculations about the so-called 'Chinese spy case,' handle relevant cases in accordance with the law, earnestly fulfill the obligations of the bilateral consular treaty, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines," he added.

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has expressed concerns to the Philippine side and requested a consular visit to the said Chinese citizen, identified as Deng Yuanqing, to provide him with consular assistance.

"The family of the Chinese citizen in custody approached the Embassy with concern about his safety and fair treatment and presented some facts different from the accusation by the Philippine authorities," the Embassy said.

Early this week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning asked the Philippine government to “earnestly protect” the rights of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

"The Chinese government, as always, asks Chinese nationals overseas to abide by local laws and regulations," she said.

"We hope the Philippines will stick to the fact, stop shadow-chasing, stop peddling the so-called ‘Chinese spy,’ and earnestly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines," she added.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the suspected Chinese spy has resided in the Philippines since 2013.