Manila: A local lawyer, hired to represent three Filipino nationals detained in China on allegations of espionage, is currently awaiting approval to visit them, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

According to Philippines News Agency, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega has stated that while the Philippine government will refrain from commenting further on the ongoing case, it reassures the families of the detainees that comprehensive legal assistance is being provided. This includes funding for the legal counsel through the DFA Legal Assistance Fund. De Vega emphasized the government's efforts to secure a meeting between the lawyer and the detainees, who are held in Hainan, through persistent requests to Chinese authorities.

The Chinese justice system requires approval from the provincial governor in Hainan, which is currently being sought. De Vega mentioned that additional information could be gathered from statements issued by the Office of the President and the National Security Council (NSC), which have both denied any espionage activities linked to the detainees.

The three Filipinos were beneficiaries of the Hainan Government Scholarship Program, a product of the sisterhood agreement between Hainan and Palawan provinces, which provided scholarships for 50 scholars from Palawan to study at the Hainan National University. The NSC clarified that the trio traveled to China solely for educational purposes at the invitation of the Chinese government.

NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya has previously noted that the three individuals are ordinary Filipino citizens without any military training.