At least six foreign nationals and two Filipinos were arrested Wednesday on Grande Island in Subic Bay Freeport.(Contributed photo)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Six foreign nationals and two Filipinos were arrested for possible espionage and alleged kidnapping activities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogo) on Grande Island inside this free port, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Thursday.
The DND confirmed that a composite team from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) served a warrant of arrest to Chinese national Qiu Feng, whose real name is Ye Tianwu (also known as Qing Feng), on Wednesday morning.
Ye Tianwu was arrested for violations under Republic Act 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code, and Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Also apprehended were Xu Xining, Ye Xiaocan, Su Anlong, and He Peng, along with Cambodian national Ang Deck/Dick and Filipinos Melvin Mañosa Aguillon Jr. and Jeffrey Espiridion, who are employees of Ang Deck/Dick.
Authorities recovered multiple cell phones and laptops, one 9mm caliber firearm, and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The DND stated that the arrests exposed the unlawful activities of certain foreign nationals using the island under the guise of private enterprises.
“Such activities, which may be part of larger criminal network operations, pose a serious threat to our national security,” the agency said.
Following the operation, the DND said it looked forward to working with concerned agencies, including the SBMA, to explore the possibility of declaring Grande Island and nearby Chiquita Island as military reservations.
“This will ultimately help secure the operations of the Subic Special Economic Zone, including the Riviera Wharf and the Subic Bay International Airport, in line with the ongoing development of the Philippine Navy’s naval operating base to strengthen and maintain our strategic presence along our western seaboard,” the DND said in a statement.
Grande Island, located in Subic Bay, serves as a strategic vantage point with a clear view of key sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea, including Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). INQ