Gov’t to look into reported donations of Chinese ‘spies’ to PNP, LGUs

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro (PCO Photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The government will investigate the supposed donations made by Chinese nationals, recently arrested in the country for alleged espionage, to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and some local government units (LGUs).

During a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro assured the public that authorities will thoroughly look into the donations.

“As of now ay pag-aaralan po natin iyan. Kung ito man po ay naging donasyon in good faith, kailangan po talaga natin malaman dahil hindi naman po masama ang tumanggap ng donasyon (As of now we will study that. If this was a donation in good faith, we really need to know because receiving a donation is not a bad thing),” Castro told reporters.

She also recalled a similar situation during the pandemic, when several localities, including Davao City, supposedly received various donations from China, including ambulances and vehicles.

Castro emphasized that accepting donations is not inherently wrong, as long as they are offered in good faith.

However, she noted that if the donations were given with ulterior motives, they must be investigated.

Castro stressed the importance of understanding the true intent behind these donations and ensuring that any recipients, including local officials, are not unknowingly being used for dubious purposes.

“Wala pong masama kung tatanggap tayo ng donasyon if it’s done in good faith. So, kung ito naman po pala ay parang ibinigay pero mayroong kakaibang dahilan for that, kailangan po nating imbestigahan iyan at kung sinuman po iyong mga tumanggap na mga opisyal ng LGU (There is nothing wrong if we accept a donation if done in good faith. So, if it was given with ulterior motive, we need to investigate that and if any of those who accepted are local officials),” she said.

Wang Yongyi, Wu Junren, Cai Shaohuang and Chen Haitao were among the Chinese nationals arrested in late January for allegedly gathering images and maps of Philippine naval forces near the West Philippine Sea.

The four reportedly donated cash and vehicles to local police forces and local governments through Chinese Communist Party-affiliated groups.

Castro assured the public that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would not allow such issues to go unaddressed.

“Hindi po iyan pababayaan ng Pangulo. Talaga po kapag ganiyan po ang balita at nakarating sa atin iyan, kailangan po talagang imbestigahan iyan. Hindi po ito dapat palampasin (The President will not let that go. Really, when the news is like that and it reaches us, it really needs to be investigated. We will not let that pass),” she said.