The National Security Council (NSC) is objecting to the "confessions" shown by China to three Filipinos arrested there, noting that the three detainees are ordinary citizens with no military training.
In Palawan, the families of three arrested people—two men and a woman—are asking for help to travel to China and visit them, according to the provincial government.
According to Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the NSC, they issued a statement regarding China's accusations that the three are spies of the Philippine intelligence agency. He said that such an agency no longer exists and that the three Filipinos went to China at the invitation of the government to study.
Malaya issued a statement regarding the video released by Chinese media showing their "confessions." According to her, it is unclear how it was obtained and there are parts of the statement that seem to still show a positive view of China.
In this regard, Christian Jay Cojamco, the Palawan Provincial Information Officer, said that the families of the three Palawans are awaiting permission from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to travel to China. If granted, the province will cover their expenses.
