The Philippine government has extended legal assistance to three Filipinos detained in China on suspicion of espionage, as officials move to ensure their safety and legal rights are upheld.
During a press briefing on Monday, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro confirmed that a law firm has been hired to represent the three individuals currently under Chinese custody.
“I just want to say that we have already also hired a law firm to protect these Filipinos,” Lazaro said. “This is what we have done so far towards the protection of these Filipinos in China.”
She also acknowledged that the Chinese authorities had informed the Philippine government about the arrests, which took place in Guangzhou. Lazaro noted that the matter has been treated as a consular issue and that the Philippine side has now been granted access to the detained nationals.
The DFA had earlier confirmed in April that three Filipinos were arrested for allegedly engaging in espionage activities. In its statement, the department emphasized that it had asked Chinese authorities to uphold due process and protect the individuals’ rights under both Chinese law and the Philippines-China Consular Agreement.
Chinese media previously identified one of the arrested as David Servanez, described as a long-term resident in China. He was reportedly apprehended for frequently lingering near military zones. Chinese authorities claimed he worked under someone identified as Richie Herrera. The other two suspects, Albert Endencia and Nathalie Plizardo, were also allegedly connected to Herrera and were accused of helping gather sensitive information.
The DFA has not provided additional details on the nature of the charges or the timeline of legal proceedings but reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipinos abroad.
