Manila: Despite the neutralization of an alleged espionage ring, a ranking military official said the government's "Insider Threat Program" will continue with its task of protecting sensitive information. "I would like to say yung ating (that our) Insider Threat Program ay tuloy-tuloy naman nagtatrabaho (continues to work to secure the country against espionage threats)," Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and Inspector General, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said during an interview with reporters on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Navy official gave this assurance when asked if such threats are still existing even as he stressed that this particular espionage case can now be considered closed. He said the espionage ring was discovered last year and that the government, through the NSC, decided to make it public so that Filipinos can be made aware of such threats. "Hindi ito gawa-gawa, hindi ito haka-haka (this case is not made up, nor it is just guesswork)," Trinidad stressed.

The government's "Insider Threat Program" came into public view after the National Security Council (NSC) on March 4 announced the discovery and dismantling of an alleged espionage ring and foreign-directed malign activities linked to China. Three persons were arrested: one of them was described as working in the Department of National Defense, the other in the PN, and the other one reportedly is close to a Philippine Coast Guard officer with access to "important or sensitive information."

Information acquired by the suspects includes the list of PN personnel, data of those engaged in WPS operations, and operational details like the timing and schedule of rotation and resupply missions in Philippine outposts in the vital waterway. "The people should know this part of our transparency program at yung ating (and our) Communications Plan 'Mulat,'' Trinidad said, referring to the program which seeks to make the public more aware about the importance of the WPS.