AFP validating reports there are Chinese PLA personnel in country

March 5, 2020

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is validating reports there are thousands of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel in the country on "immersion missions" and for other unknown purposes.

"We are in the process of validating the report of Sen. Lacson that being a matter of serious concern," said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.,  in a statement Thursday.

"I have my staff for intelligence to confirm said reports in coordination with other relevant agencies of government," he added.

In a senate inquiry, Senator Panfilo Lacson said 2000 to 3000 Chinese soldiers enter the country as tourists or as workers in Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

A senior security official who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed belief that there are  Chinese operatives in the Philippines but noted that the 3,000 PLA is an exaggeration.

"I think that is an exaggeration. Don't know the source of Sir Ping but any country that will undertake a foreign intel operations will not deploy that so much number of operatives. That is very dangerous because that large number of operatives will lead to very high risk of compromise," the source said.

"But for sure, there are Chinese intel operatives deployed operating here in our country. Maybe they run in hundreds and they use legit covers like businessmen, media, academe, tourists," the source added.

The security official also noted the source of information of Senator Lacson "is just making a wild guess and not really basing on actual and verified intel information."

"If they (Chinese) want information from us, they will leverage their advantage in cyber warfare or hacking, which is less exposure and personal risks on their part, than deploying that large number of operatives," the source stated.

"PLA members are not trained for foreign intel operations, much less deployed for third country operations. China have their Ministry of State Security that specialises on foreign intel and espionage, though some members are recruited from PLA. So the 3,000 PLA is improbable," the source added.

Source also believes that "there is no such thing as immersion mission."

"That is a pre World War two concept. Immersion means forward deploying your soldiers to a country that you intend to invade later. Also with better Philippine China relations, dont think China will take that risk with very little strategic gain," the source said.

Like I said, our estimate of their operatives here will be just hundreds. Maybe 300 at the most," the source added. Robina Asido/DMS