Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Capt. Armand Balilo. FILE PHOTO
MANILA. Philippines — The delisted Chinese auxiliary members of the Philippines had nothing to do with the recent hacking attacks against the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) website, agency spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said on Thursday.
The PCG revealed in a House of Representatives committee hearing on Wednesday that Chinese nationals were recruited into the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) but they have already been delisted back in December 2023.
Balilo was asked at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing if these Chinese nationals may be involved in recent hacking attacks against the websites and social media pages of several government agencies, particularly the PCG.
READ: House hearing reveals Chinese nationals recruited to PCG auxiliary
“Hindi naman, ito ay mga ordinaryong businessman. Nung nag-apply ang mga ito nung 2015, wala pang issue sa West Philippine Sea masyado, kaya ito’y may mga clearance na kinuha noon,” said the Balilo.
(No, these are ordinary businessmen. They applied in 2015 when there was not much issue with the West Philippine Sea, so they had clearances back then.)
READ: PCG website remains secure, says Balilo amid reported hacking attempts
Balilo said that these Chinese nationals acquired documents such as police and National Bureau of Investigation clearances.
“Kung mayroon nakita yung ibang sektor ay yun ay ginagalang namin at kaya nga po nag-decide si Admiral [Ronnie] Gavan na tanggalin muna sila sa hanay ng Coast Guard auxiliary,” said Balilo.
(If other sectors saw some [irregularities], we respect it, that is why Admiral Gavan decided to remove them from the Coast Guard auxiliary.)
The PCG spokesperson said that the Chinese nationals were not privy to sensitive agency operations. They only provided humanitarian assistance.
The issue of Chinese nationals in the PCG comes during heightened tensions between Beijing and Manila over the former’s agression in the West Philippine Sea.