00:00 In the midst of China's growing harassment of the West Philippine Sea,
00:04 President Marcos is still careful to use the Mutual Defense Treaty.
00:09 Meanwhile, some young people discovered that there is a Chinese national
00:14 who has been a member of the Philippine Coast Guard's auxiliary for several years.
00:18 Van Myrina was able to find out.
00:24 The Philippines Coast Guard and China Coast Guard are facing a more severe situation than ever before.
00:30 In the past, it was just a defense and a pursuit.
00:32 Now, if there is no war, there is a water cannon that is being used.
00:36 According to Bloomberg, even President Marcos admitted that there is a growing threat
00:44 to China's accession to the South China Sea.
00:46 That's why the Philippines should be more careful in defending its territory.
00:51 Although the Philippines and the United States have an agreement that protects each other under the Mutual Defense Treaty,
00:56 Marcos is careful in invoking it.
00:59 He said that increasing tensions through this is not good,
01:02 except if the threat is an existential threat.
01:06 We are asking President Marcos what he means by saying existential threat.
01:12 Meanwhile, some young people were surprised to discover in a hearing yesterday
01:17 that more than 30 Chinese nationals have been a member of the Philippine Coast Guard's auxiliary.
01:22 This December, 36 were removed.
01:26 The issue is that our foreigners, like the Chinese,
01:32 specifically the Chinese, are allowed to become members of the auxiliary.
01:38 Mr. Chair, two to three years ago, these Chinese who have been a member of the auxiliary of the Coast Guard
01:46 have been performing perhaps spying duties here in our country.
01:51 We went through a process in coordination with relevant intelligence, national security,
01:57 concerned agencies of government.
02:00 In fact, we have already delisted 36.
02:04 In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard stated that there is no basis for the removed Coast Guard auxiliaries to be considered as spies.
02:11 As an auxiliary, they do not have direct participation in the operation of the PCG,
02:16 but only in humanitarian missions.
02:18 They also do not have access to sensitive information.
02:21 Although some Chinese nationals have Filipino spouses and have been negotiating for a long time in the country,
02:27 they are still members of the Coast Guard auxiliary since 2015.
02:31 This was delisted in December of last year due to the increasing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
02:37 We do not have a strong basis for accusing them of being Chinese spies.
02:43 As I told you, we also had vetting when they applied and they have been assisting the Philippine Coast Guard for a long time
02:52 in the aspect of humanitarian assistance and donation.
02:57 There is nothing to be worried about. They are ordinary businessmen.
03:01 The committee of the camera has ordered to investigate who recruited Chinese nationals in the PCG.
03:07 The PCG promised to continue their investigation and to monitor the national security.
03:14 For GMA Integrated News, Ivan Meyri, for Tutok Tlaloc, 24 hours.
03:19 For GMA Integrated News, Ivan Meyri, 24 hours.
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