Court OKs extension of forensic exam on Chinese ‘hacker’ devices

SEIZED. The firearms and purported hacking equipment seized from a Chinese national by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Makati City on May 29, 2024. The CIDG on Thursday (July 4, 2024) said a Quezon City court has granted its request for a 30-day extension of the warrant to examine computer data for the forensic examination of the gadgets and equipment seized from suspect Yuhang Liu. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – Police officers have until the end of July to hold a forensic examination on the gadgets and other devices seized from a Chinese national who was apprehended in Makati City in May.

In a July 2 order made public Thursday, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 90 approved the motion for an extension of time filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) to submit computer data from the equipment seized from the suspect Yuhang Liu.

The equipment includes three mobile phones, one radio receiver/transmitter, one Huawei router, one Apple tablet, an Honor laptop, an aerial drone, an inverter unit, a computer central processing unit, and other computer accessories.

The original warrant to examine computer data issued by the court, which was only valid for 10 days, was supposed to lapse on Thursday.

“Considering the large number of mobile devices recovered from the place (of) arrest of Yuhang Liu, the court finds it justifiable to grant an extended period of examination. Given an extension period of 30 days from July 1 or until July 31, 2024 within which to submit the final report on the result of the examination on the computer data,” RTC Branch 90 Presiding Judge Maria Zoraida Zabat-Tuazon said in the two-page order.

CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the suspect is currently detained at the CIDG-NCR pending a court order on his transfer to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Liu was arrested in Barangay San Isidro on May 29 in response to a gun-toting complaint.

The complainant in the incident said Liu coerced him into delivering unidentified communication hacking devices to the suspect’s residence.

This equipment will allegedly be placed in vital installations to hack or access mobile phones’ international mobile equipment identity.