Malacañang tells gov’t workers: Protect sensitive info

2026-03-05 - 08:54

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Palace on Thursday, March 5, reminded workers in government to be “careful and critical” after the Philippines’ security sector discovered at least three Filipinos who were found — and later confessed — to handing over sensitive information and files to Chinese nationals. Rappler first reported on the discovery of at least three persons found to have turned over information and documents related to the Philippines’ defense and security sector. The National Security Council (NSC) has since confirmed the report and said the spying operation has been “addressed and terminated.” “Ang paalala ng Palasyo sa lahat ng nasa gobyerno ay maging maingat at mapanuri. Bantayan ninyo ang inyong mga opisina, protektahan ang mga sensitibong impormasyon ng pamahalaan, at tiyaking hindi ito makokompromiso ng mga aktor na maaaring magdulot ng banta sa pambansang seguridad,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a statement to media on March 5. (The Palace reminds alll government workers to be careful and critical. Guard your offices, protect sensitive government information, and make sure these are not compromised by actors who threaten national security.) Must Read EXCLUSIVE: Chinese operation taps Filipinos to access top security info Over several months, Rappler interviewed four Filipinos. who were caught or flagged through the government’s “Insider Threat Program.” Three of them were involved, for years, with foreign bosses who solicited sensitive information. Rappler confirmed that one of the foreign bosses was a Chinese national who entered the Philippines at least once. Security sources, as well as the NSC, have confirmed that the operation as a whole was Chinese-led. These Chinese recruiters targeted young Filipinos who either worked in or had close ties to agencies with access to sensitive security and defense information. All three have since been taken in by security officials. – Rappler.com