The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday discovered photos and videos of naval ships, including those of other countries, from gadgets of suspected spies in Subic Bay. The seven suspects—five Chinese nationals, one Cambodian, and one Filipino—were arrested on March 19 on Grande Island after being observed for their suspicious actions related to obtaining sensitive information about critical infrastructure.
According to the investigation, the suspects posed as fishermen but used high-tech drones under the pretext of transporting bait. Authorities discovered that they used them to monitor naval ships around the island. The NBI recovered images of a US naval vessel and surveillance photos of a Philippine naval base.
Given the strategic location of Grande Island, it is possible that the group used it to monitor the movements of warships passing through Subic Bay. According to NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin, the recovered data and gadgets are being thoroughly investigated to determine if they are connected to previous espionage cases in the country.
Aside from the surveillance gadgets, the NBI and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are also investigating the status of a resort on the island leased by a foreign company. It was previously open to the public, but access has been restricted since it was transferred to a foreign lessor.
Investigations are ongoing to determine who is behind the group and how they were able to use the island for their operations. The NBI continues to gather evidence to determine if the suspects have deeper connections to international espionage.
