Police probe ‘Chinese spy op’ in Luzon

GADGETS The Cavite police on Sunday release the photo of two suspects and their “spying” gadgets found in their vehicle intercepted in Bacoor City. —Cavite Police Office

LUCENA CITY, QUEZON, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group has launched an investigation on alleged Chinese espionage operation in Luzon after two suspects were caught with “several machines used in intercepting computer data” inside a flogged down vehicle in Bacoor City, Cavite province.

In a Viber message to Inquirer on Sunday afternoon, Police Capt. Michelle Bastawang, Cavite police public information officer, confirmed the arrests, saying “the case is still under investigation by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.”

Earlier on Sunday, the Calabarzon’s Police Regional Office 4-A said in a spot report that two suspects identified only as “Christian” and “Marcie,” who were both Filipinos, were caught before 1 a.m. on Sunday after an informant had tipped off the authorities about an alleged espionage operation in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

READ: Chinese with spying device nabbed near Comelec

The informant had told police that the spying activities were being conducted aboard a Toyota Rush sport utility vehicle, which would pass through the Bacoor area at around midnight.

Police personnel conducting “Oplan Sita,” a routine anticriminality road inspection, spotted the vehicle and stopped it while passing through Soldiers Hills in Barangay Molino 6 of Bacoor at around 12:45 a.m.

Unnamed principals

A follow-up investigation revealed that “Christian” is a resident of Makati City while “Marcie” is from Quezon City, according to a source privy to the arrests.

The espionage activities were reportedly being orchestrated by unnamed Chinese nationals, revealed the source who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter.

The report also stated that the police recovered “several machines being used in spying … used in intercepting computer data.” The police did not provide additional details as investigation continues.

The police report or the source did not say who the two suspects were spying on, or if there were data breaches involving government or private entities.

Police Col. Dwight Alegre, Cavite police chief, said in a statement released over social media on Sunday that the arrest of the suspects showed the dedication of the PNP in combating “not only traditional crimes but also from the growing threats in the digital and intelligence domains.”

Police said the two suspects are now detained in Bacoor and would be facing charges for violation of misuse of device and illegal interception and system interference under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Espionage under Commonwealth Act No. 616 or the Espionage Act of 1941. /cb