DFA: Philippines not spying on Qatar

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) denied reports that the Philippines is spying on Qatar after three Filipinos were convicted of espionage.

"We categorically deny that we are engaged in espionage," DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message to the media.

A lower court in Qatar earlier declared the three men guilty of baring classified information to "intelligence officials in the Philippines" about Qatar's aircraft, weaponry, maintenance and servicing records. They also claimed to have been tasked to bare "specific details" about names, ranks and phone numbers of members of Qatari military.

One of the three accused spies was sentenced to death, while the other two were punished with life imprisonment.

Jose, who refused to name the three Filipino, said that the government has brought up the issue in high-level meetings with Qatari officials.

He said, however, that the one who was sentenced to death was an employee of a state-owned company, while two others were technicians in a military base.

The Philippine Embassy in Doha has been appealing the case and coordinating with the lawyers of the accused as well as with their relatives.

"Our Embassy in Doha has been tireless in its efforts to extend the necessary assistance to the Filipinos who are facing espionage charges in Qatar," Jose said. - Camille Diola