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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
March 6, 2026 | 3:59pm
MANILA, Philippines — Sensitive information passed to Chinese intelligence by a suspected spy linked to a Philippine Coast Guard personnel likely compromised Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, spokesperson Jay Tarriela said Friday, March 6.
Tarriela said the leaked information was related to supply operations to the BRP Sierra Madre, where a small Marine detachment is stationed.
Asked whether the leaks compromised resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, Tarriela said in a chance interview Friday: "I think so. Because the information that was leaked is related to supply operations.
Tarriela said the leaked information likely explained how China was able to anticipate Philippine vessels' movements in the West Philippine Sea, particularly during resupply operations. "Most likely that is the result of information they received from their informants," he said.
He also admitted there may have been lapses in the Coast Guard's record-keeping that allowed the unidentified informant — described as having ties to an unnamed PCG personnel — to access and pass on sensitive operational details to Chinese handlers.
The officials remarks followed a March 4 statement by the NSC confirming the arrest of individuals suspected to be "acting on the behest of Chinese Intelligence" and that this network had been "addressed and terminated."
The statement by NSC spokesperson Cornelio Valencia Jr. came after Rappler exclusively reported the discovery of the network, which involved Chinese nationals luring young, financially vulnerable Filipinos working in or linked to defense and security agencies into paid "consultancies" that escalated into requests for classified material.
Why this matters. The resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal are the Philippines' only way to sustain a small marine garrison living aboard the rusting warship, which was deliberately grounded at the shoal in 1999.
Chinese vessels have repeatedly blocked, rammed, and water-cannoned Philippine boats during these runs, with confrontations turning so violent in 2024 that Manila and Beijing had to negotiate a deal just to prevent further violence.
With the recent revelations of espionage, Tarriela said this proves that Beijing is "really doing all possible actions" to undermine Philippine national security and weaken the country's position in the West Philippine Sea.
How much exactly were paid to the informants? Tarriela said only that it was a "sizable amount," though he did not give a figure.
"The mere fact that a fellow Filipino was tempted to provide this kind of information at the cost of our legitimate operations in the West Philippine Sea — for me, a large amount of money was being paid," he said.
Gaps in confidentiality
Tarriela said the Coast Guard member close to the informant was not aware that sensitive information was being accessed. He declined to disclose the member's role, rank or location.
The Coast Guard's main response, Tarriela said, has been to adopt "a more secure way of handling information" related to West Philippine Sea operations. He did not elaborate on what specific measures were being put in place.
Tarriela said the PCG personnel linked to the case is cooperating with the NSC investigation. He would not say whether administrative charges were being considered, saying only that the probe is ongoing.
China denies, Tarriela pushes back
The Chinese Embassy in Manila rejected the espionage allegations and called them "malicious smears" and "yet another attempt to hype up the so-called 'China threat' rhetoric."
In a statement by spokesperson Ji Lingpeng, the embassy said the Philippines had "fabricated a series of so-called 'Chinese spy' cases based on far-fetched allegations" and warned that "hyping up anti-China sentiments" would "ultimately backfire."
The embassy also pointed to the recent arrest of a Mongolian national over suspected ties to China, who was later cleared, as evidence that the Philippines was "rushing to judgment."
Tarriela dismissed the embassy's denial. "Of course they're not going to admit it," he said.
He pointed to the fact that the apprehended informants themselves admitted to being paid by Chinese handlers. "They are the ones paying our fellow countrymen to spy on us and provide sensitive information," Tarriela said. "I think the Chinese Embassy should be the one to be more cautious in giving such statements."
Tensions near Ayungin Shoal peaked in June 2024 when CCG personnel boarded a Philippine Navy boat and assaulted Filipino sailors with bladed weapons and destroyed their equipment. One Navy personnel lost his thumb in the incident.
The violence prompted Manila and Beijing to forge a provisional understanding in July 2024 to de-escalate the situation and allow resupply missions to continue.
