China has maintained its spying allegation against three Filipinos they have arrested as the Philippines' National Security Council (NSC) cast doubt on the latter really being spies.

Lin Jian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said that Chinese authorities already released detailed information "on the espionage activities conducted by the Philippine nationals in China."

And he asserted that judicial and relevant authorities handle the case that is "based on facts and in strict accordance with the law."

In a press conference in Beijing on Monday, April 7, Lin accused the Philippines of "concoct[ing] a series of so-called Chinese spy cases" in a move he called as "a typical act of stigmatization and politicization based on presumption of guilt in the absence of clear evidence."

"We firmly oppose that, and have lodged protests against the Philippines more than once," he said.

NSC spokesman Jonathan Malaya believed the three Filipinos arrested were not spies as they were ordinary citizens who had no military training. He also doubted the supposed "confessions" they had reportedly made.

China earlier claimed that the three Filipinos, who were Chinese government scholars before being arrested separately, were working for a "Philippine intelligence service," but Malaya said there is no such agency.

Lin said China is urging the Philippines "to stop shadow-chasing and making false accusations, handle the cases concerning Chinese citizens in a just manner and in accordance with law, and effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines."

He also gave assurance that China's "judicial and relevant authorities will strictly handle the case in accordance with law, and protect the lawful rights and interests of the personnel involved" as the Philippine government called on China to protect their rights and give them due process.