Authorities arrested six foreigners and two Filipinos allegedly conducting espionage in an Island in Subic Bay which has a "strategic vantage point with a clear view" of the Scarborough Shoal and the key sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea.

The arrest of five Chinese nationals, one Cambodian and two Filipinos were announced by the Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday.

Arsenio Andolong, Defense Communications assistant secretary, said the suspects were apprehended by a composite team from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in Grande Island, Subic on Wednesday morning.

The suspects were identified as Qiu Feng, whose real name is Ye Tianwu (also known as Qing Feng); Xu Xining; Ye Xiaocan; Su Anlong; and He Peng all Chinese nationals; along with Cambodian Ang Deck/Dick; and Filipinos Melvin Manosa Aguillon, Jr. and Jeffrey Espiridion, employees of Ang Deck.

Andolong said the suspects were arrested during the serving of was arrant of arrest against Ye Tianwu for violations under Republic Act (RA) 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code, and RA 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Andolong said authorities "recovered multiple cellphones and laptops, one caliber 9mm firearm, and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition."

"The arrest exposes the unlawful nature, including suspected espionage and kidnapping activities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), for which some foreign nationals are using Grande Island under the guise of private enterprises," he said.

"Such activities, which may be part of larger criminal network operations, pose a serious threat to our national security," he added.

Following the arrest, the DND said it is looking forward to working with concerned agencies, including the

SBMA, in exploring the possibility of declaring Grande Island, along with nearby Chiquita Island, as military reservations.

"This will ultimately help secure the operations of the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone including the Riviera Wharf and the Subic Bay International Airport, in consonance with the ongoing development of the naval operating base of the Philippine Navy to strengthen and maintain our strategic presence along our western seaboard," said Andolong. Robina Asido/DMS