Is influx of Chinese students in the Philippines a security threat? Manila starts probe on ‘sleeper cell’ concerns

Intelligence officers have been sent to investigate the situation in Cagayan, where about 4,600 Chinese students reportedly live

Cagayan officials decry scrutiny on Chinese students as some observers say the issue stems from the ‘fanning of Sinophobia’ by politicians and media

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Filipino soldiers stand guard next to US aircraft at Lal-lo runway, in Cagayan province, northern Philippines, in August 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 4:01pm, 22 Apr 2024Updated: 6:12pm, 22 Apr 2024

The Philippines has sent intelligence officers to investigate potential national-security threats in the province of Cagayan following a controversial surge in Chinese nationals that lawmakers have warned could be spies.

Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general of the National Security Council, said a team had been dispatched to investigate the situation in the capital of Cagayan – located on the northern tip of Luzon island facing Taiwan – where about 4,600 Chinese nationals have been recorded to be living and reportedly enrolled in private universities.

“Our intelligence units have been assigned to take a look at the situation there. Is this a case of a national security threat, or is this just a case of people wanting to study in the Philippines?” Malaya said on Saturday.

Philippine and US officers pose for a photo at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City at the start of the Balikatan joint military exercises on Monday. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

Government officials had expressed concern about the surge of Chinese nationals enrolled in private universities in Tuguegarao, with congressman Robert Ace Barbers describing it as a “creeping invasion”.

There are three new sites in the region under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a pact with the United States that allows for large-scale joint military exercises. The Philippines on Monday began its annual Balikatan military drills with the US, with more than 16,000 personnel taking part. The exercises, which will also take place near EDCA sites, run until May 8.

On Sunday, Barbers questioned the motives of the Chinese students enrolling in Cagayan, saying they could be spies or members of sleeper cells sent to gather intelligence.

“Why are they all there in Cagayan close to the EDCA site? Why are there so many enrolling there? Isn’t it that if you want to pursue a master’s degree, you would go to a big university overseas?” Barbers said. “Is there really that much interest to get a master’s degree from the Philippines?”

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