By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency
The Philippines’ anti-espionage program, initially limited to tracing “insider threats” within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND), is being expanded to cover other government departments.
The military-led Insider Threat Program (ITP) is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to secure sensitive information against possible espionage.
“As we speak right now, the insider threat program is working. It has now been escalated to other government agencies, not just AFP or Department of National Defense. We are in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and other government agencies,” AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Navy Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
He said the government is expected to release more examples of “success stories” or cases already closed in the coming days.
“The moment a case is considered closed, ibig sabihin may natuklasan tayo, napag-aralan lahat, nakausap ang mga tao, they are now under AFP control. Nilalabas naman natin iyan para magsilbing warning,” he said.
The ITP became public knowledge after the National Security Council announced on March 4 the discovery and dismantling of an alleged espionage ring and foreign-directed malign activities linked to China.
“Ang nakita natin trend dito, ang unang salvo ng mga nakuha natin ay mga Chinese nationals. Ang next na salvo natin ay mga Filipinos,” Adm. Trinidad said.
“According to one of those Filipinos, kaya iyon ang nangyari ay ‘yong mga handlers nila na galing abroad ay natatakot pumunta sa atin kasi nag-increase tayo ng awareness against espionage,” he said.
Trinidad previously said the ITP came about after the AFP formally shifted its defensive strategy to the so-called Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, where the military was tasked to protect all Philippine territories, including its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
