MANILA, Jan. 31 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said he is "very disturbed" by the alleged espionage activities of five Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

"That's why we arrested them. Of course, we are very disturbed by anyone conducting such espionage operations against our military," Marcos told reporters in Pasay City, when asked about the alleged presence of Chinese spies in the country.

Marcos said the Philippine government has no official contact with China but stressed that investigative services are looking for more information about the arrested foreigners.

"The investigative services are still developing more information to see exactly what these five have been --- what operations they have been doing while...