The National Security Council of the Philippines said over the weekend that the supposed confessions of three Filipinos arrested by China for alleged espionage appeared to have been scripted and they urged Beijing to respect their rights, a reporter from AFP asked about comments.

Competent authorities have released detailed information on the espionage activities conducted by the Philippine nationals in China, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian on the press conference, China’s judicial and relevant authorities handle the case based on facts and in strict accordance with the law, and will protect the lawful rights and interests of the personnel involved.

Lin Jian stressed that recently the Philippines concocted a series of so-called Chinese spy cases. This is a typical act of stigmatization and politicization based on presumption of guilt in the absence of clear evidence, 

China urges the Philippines to stop shadow-chasing and making false accusations, handle the cases concerning Chinese citizens in a just manner and in accordance with law, and effectively protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines, said Lin Jian.

(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)