China's embassy in Manila has opposed the National Security Council's (NSC) confirmation of a report that authorities arrested several Filipinos allegedly linked to China's spying and foreign-direct malign influence in the country.

"We firmly oppose and strongly deplore irresponsible remarks made by certain Philippine agencies peddling so-called "Chinese spy" narratives," Ji Lingpeng, spokesman for the embassy, said Thursday night, March 6.

Ji was reacting to NSC's recent statement that confirmed a Rappler report that  authorities uncovered "a serious national security matter involving espionage and foreign-directed malign activities in the country linked to the People’s Republic of China."

The individuals allegedly acted "on the behest of Chinese Intelligence," and the Philippine government thus far "addressed and terminated."

Amid repeated spying allegations against China, the embassy maintained that it adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.

"Such accusations are malicious smears against China and yet another attempt to hype up the so-called 'China threat' rhetoric," Ji said.

He likewise claimed that the Philippines had also fabricated a series of so-called "Chinese spy" cases that are based on far-fetched allegations.

"This is a typical act of ill-intentioned association and politically motivated presumption of guilt in the absence of detailed information on the case and clear evidence. We firmly reject such practices," he added.

Ji said mutual respect is the foundation of the China-Philippines relations.

"If certain individuals or agencies in the Philippines persist in hyping up anti-China sentiments and recklessly targeting anything related to China, it will only undermine the atmosphere of cooperation and ultimately backfire," he said.

"We urge the relevant Philippine agencies to stop shadow-chasing and making groundless accusations and refrain from using so-called espionage claims as a pretext to disrupt normal people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and undermine the bilateral relations," he added.