Reports have surfaced indicating China’s recruitment of Filipinos with military backgrounds to serve as spies on the West Philippine Sea. The move, ostensibly, aims to bolster Beijing’s territorial claims in the disputed waterway. This development unveils a complex web of geopolitical maneuvering reminiscent of historical instances of espionage, notably echoing the role of Takeo Yoshikawa in the surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. The South China Sea, a vital maritime region rich in resources and of which the WPS is a part, has been a focal point of contention between China and neighboring countries, particularly the Philippines.

Of spies and historical parallels. (2024, April 11). Daily Tribune, p. A5.