BI, AFP arrest Chinese nationals suspected of spying

Two Chinese nationals suspected of spying were arrested Feb. 13, 2026, in separate operations in Balasan and Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, by personnel of the Bureau of Immigration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, authorities said.

The arrests were carried out by virtue of a mission order issued by the Bureau of Immigration, according to the statement.

The two subjects were identified as Wang Jia Bai, Wang Libi, and Xu Jinbiao, the statement said, despite describing the operation as involving two Chinese nationals.

Authorities said they uncovered alleged illegal activities involving the operation of businesses without proper documentation.

To legitimize their business operations, the subjects allegedly used a dummy who served as the registered owner on their permits, and authorities said the group was involved in misrepresentation.

The subjects were also monitored allegedly conducting spying activities along the Visayan Sea and Sibuyan Sea, and authorities said they were suspected of being spies due to alleged connections with previously arrested individuals accused of spying in Palawan and neighboring islands known as the “Palawan 5.”