China ‘sleeper agents’ may influence 2028 PH elections, warns analyst

Security analyst Prof. Chester Cabalza (center), Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad (left), and OCTA Research fellow Dr. Ronald Pernia (right) discuss security challenges and election risks during a news forum on Saturday in Quezon City. Photo by Gabrylle Dumalag.

MANILA, Philippines—A security analyst on Saturday warned of the presence of Chinese “sleeper agents” in the Philippines and their potential influence on the 2028 elections, which could shape the country’s stance on the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Chester Cabalza, president of the think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said at a news forum in Quezon City that the Philippines’ openness and democratic system makes it vulnerable to infiltration, noting that foreign operatives often come in “different forms” and can be difficult to distinguish from locals.

“They look like us. What I can say is, they are all over our country,” he added, describing these agents as operatives who are able to penetrate Philippine society, including political institutions and infrastructures.

Cabalza said such operatives embed themselves to study Philippine politics as “strategic foresight” for the 2028 presidential elections.

READ: NSC-says-govt-actively-monitoring-chinese-sleeper-agents

The National Security Council (NSC) said on Friday it is “actively monitoring” reports of alleged sleeper agents in the country.

Cabalza also noted that these agents collect intelligence with “strategic implications” for the West Philippine Sea, where tensions between Manila and Beijing have persisted.

Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson earlier raised concerns over suspected Chinese spies linked to the People’s Liberation Army, citing arrests in Palawan, Makati, Dumaguete, and even near Camp Aguinaldo, the Commission on Elections office in Manila, and Malacañang.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, who was also at the forum, said the Armed Forces is coordinating with law enforcement agencies to track down foreign nationals allegedly involved in espionage. /mr