Philippine military uncovers alleged new Beijing spy tactics in South China Sea row

The case, which came to light last year during an ongoing multi-agency counter-intelligence effort, marks a new strategy of recruiting Filipinos for espionage instead of planting individuals with fake local identities in the country, according to Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad. China has rejected the allegations, calling them “malicious smears”. One suspect allegedly used a modified mobile phone with a messaging app concealed within the video game Tetris to communicate with handlers, while payoffs involved cash hidden in fake food deliveries. The three did not work together, even though two were overseen by the same person. “What we…