Philippine Government reveals existence of Insider Threat Program related to the West Philippine Sea

Article by Monne Slyvia

Published on March 11, 2026 10:30AM

Philippine Navy spokesperson and Inspector General Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad on March 9, 2026 said during an interview with reporters that the National Security Council (NSC) revealed the existence of the government’s Insider Threat Program that is tasked to protect sensitive information.

Trinidad stated that the NSC decided to make this public so Filipinos can be aware of such threats. This was in line with the NSC’s March 4 announcement of its discovery and dismantling of an alleged espionage ring and foreign-directed malign activities linked to China that is related to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Specifically, the information acquired by the suspects include the list of Philippine Navy 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 area.

Additionally, the handlers asked for information from a civilian with a close contact in the Philippine Coast Guard about the personnel in the BRP Sierra Madre (LS 57) stationed in Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas). With these developments, there is a need to fast track the passage of the anti-espionage bill to properly address these kinds of incidents.