NBI nabs 6 Chinese, Pinoy for illegal surveillance
EJ Macababbad – The Philippine Star
March 27, 2025 | 12:00am
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News of Subic Bay, 2025
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Grande Island, recently, in the News.
–6 foreigners, 2 Filipinos linked to espionage, kidnapping nabbed in Subic Bay
By GMA Integrated News
Published March 20, 2025 11:14a
Six foreign nationals and two Filipinos linked to suspected espionage and kidnapping activities were arrested in Grande Island, Subic Bay on Wednesday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.
In a statement, the DND said Philippine authorities served an arrest warrant to five Chinese nationals, one Cambodian, and two Filipinos for violating the Securities Regulation Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“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,” the DND said.
“Such activities, which may be part of larger criminal network operations, pose a serious threat to our national security,” it added.
Recovered from the arrested persons were multiple cellphones and laptops, one caliber 9mm firearm, and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, according to the DND.
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Grande and Chiquita Island, as seen on Google Earth Pro, February 2022.
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-Navy preparing for conversion of 2 Subic islands into military reservations
Cristina Chi – Philstar.com
March 25, 2025 | 4:36pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy is readying for the military’s planned takeover of portions of two islands at the mouth of Subic Bay once they are officially declared military reservations, a Navy spokesperson said on Tuesday, March 25.
The 44-hectare Grande Island and the smaller Chiquita Island are positioned at the entrance to Subic Bay — a former United States military base located relatively close to Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc), where China has maintained a persistent Coast Guard presence since 2012.
Grande Island is considered by the Department of National Defense as a “strategic vantage point” that “gives a clear view of key sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea, including Bajo de Masinloc.”
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, confirmed that preparations are underway for the “eventual occupation” of the two islands.
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Note from Karl: I recently, Dec. 11 2024, visited Grande Island, the former Fort Wint and will present a picture report soon.
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Grande Island, NBI nabs 6 Chinese,
Here is one more article with more details.
NBI nabs 6 Chinese, Pinoy for illegal surveillance
EJ Macababbad – The Philippine Star
March 27, 2025 | 12:00am, click here:
URLs to be used:
https://philippine-sailor.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Grande-Island-01.jpg