Philippines investigates allegations of Chinese journalist acting as state agent

Authorities in the Philippines are investigating claims that a Manila-based foreign journalist could be a Chinese agent, an allegation that analysts say reflects an ongoing campaign targeting the Southeast Asian country through covert operations.

National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said in an interview with ABS-CBN News on Tuesday that Philippine authorities were investigating Zhang “Steve” Song, who was the Manila bureau chief for the Wenhui Daily newspaper from 2021 to this year. His comments followed a report by local news website Rappler on Saturday that Philippine intelligence operatives had identified Zhang as an agent of China’s Ministry of State Security.

Rappler cited a Philippine intelligence report published in May for its story on Zhang, who was formerly the chief Washington DC correspondent for the Wenhui Daily. The Shanghai-based newspaper, also known as Wenhui Bao, is owned by the Shanghai United Media Group. According to Rappler, Zhang’s written output was infrequent and few when he was in Manila.

Zhang was not registered with the International Press Center, a Philippine government agency overseeing the accreditation of foreign journalists in the country. Citing the Philippine intelligence report, Rappler said Zhang had “established a significant network in various strategic institutions”.

Malaya told ABS-CBN News: “We are having our intelligence unit verify the report. But I am not surprised if these things are happening. It is part and parcel of Chinese malign influence.

“Whatever comes out in the investigation … Whatever evidence that we are able to collect will lead to possible legal prosecution. We will go where the evidence brings us.”