Arrest of Chinese spy ‘alarming,’ an issue of nat’l security – Palace

The Chinese national, identified as “Tak Hoi Lao” on his Macau-issued passport, was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, over alleged violations of the espionage law, Data Privacy Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. (File Photo By mark pedron/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday expressed alarm over the arrest of a Chinese national allegedly carrying surveillance equipment near the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) main office in Manila.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said a thorough investigation is needed following the arrest of another Chinese national suspected of engaging in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the Philippines.

“That is an issue of national security. So, we will just leave it at that. And we will just have an investigation, thorough investigation on that matter,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

“It’s quite alarming and the President has this trust on these intelligence agents that made the operation.”

She said the Palace would wait for the results of the investigation on the matter.

The Chinese national, identified as “Tak Hoi Lao” on his Macau-issued passport, was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday, over alleged violations of the espionage law, Data Privacy Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Authorities reportedly seized an International Mobile Subscriber Identity or IMSI catcher inside the suspect’s vehicle parked outside the Comelec’s office in Intramuros.

Asked if President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. plans to summon Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian following the supposed Chinese nationals’ espionage operations, Castro said she would defer to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Malacañang earlier ordered the immediate and deeper investigation into China’s alleged interference with the Philippines’ midterm elections.

This comes after the National Security Council’s revelation that there are indicators that China is interfering in the May 12 elections.