Foreign student pilot with alleged China ties nabbed in Zambales

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — A Mongolian student pilot with alleged prior military service and China-backed flight training was arrested in the capital town of Iba over immigration violations and national security concerns, authorities confirmed on Saturday (Feb. 14).

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified the foreign national as Bold-Erdene Boldbaatar, 30, who was enrolled at a local aviation school in the said town.

Boldbaatar was arrested during a joint inter-agency operation early Thursday at his residence in Barangay Lipay Dingin during a coordinated operation led by the BI Intelligence Division-Special Response Team, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in Central Luzon.

READ: Lacson once again raises alarm over Chinese spies

According to the BI, Boldbaatar allegedly violated the Philippine Immigration Act by engaging in activities inconsistent with the purpose of his visa and Special Study Permit (SSP).

He reportedly failed to disclose prior military service and fighter aviation training in his visa and SSP application, which authorities said may constitute material misrepresentation and fraudulent procurement of immigration benefits.

Immigration officials added that he was without valid immigration status at the time of his arrest.

Investigators said Boldbaatar graduated from University of Mongolia and Civil Aviation University of China, formerly the Northeast China Democratic United Army Aviation School, and reportedly obtained a jet fighter pilot license from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force Aviation University.

Intelligence sources also indicated that he previously served as a soldier with fighter aircraft experience and that his aviation training in the Philippines may have been financed by entities linked to the government of China, though authorities said this remains under verification.

Authorities raised concerns about his presence in this province, noting its proximity to Scarborough shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea.

During solo flight exercises, Boldbaatar allegedly took aerial photographs of Iba Airport and the Palauig River area, raising suspicions of possible reconnaissance activity.

Palauig town is the closest municipality in the country to the shoal, located approximately 75 to 80 nautical miles away. /das