Probe sought into alleged wiretapping of Chinese embassy on AFP exec

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Tolentino wants a probe on the alleged wiretapping of the Chinese Embassy in Manila on an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command official.

Tolentino, chairperson of the Senate panel on maritime and admiralty zones, filed his Senate Resolution No. 1023 on Monday.

In his measure, Tolentino emphasized that it is unlawful for any person, not being authorized by all parties to any private communication, to tap any wire or cable to secretly overhear, intercept, or record such communication or spoken word.

This comes after China threatened last May 7 to release the “transcript and audio recording” of an alleged phone conversation between Chinese officials and Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, Chief of the AFP-WESMINCOM, wherein the latter allegedly agreed to a “new model” in handling resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal.

AFP already stated that it will not dignify the claim of the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs categorically stated that only the Philippine president can authorize agreements entered into by the country on matters pertaining to the West Philippine Sea.

READ: DFA: Only PH president can approve agreements on WPS, Ayungin

“These desperate tactics employed by the Chinese embassy should be stopped as they proliferate false information against our officials, thereby affecting our national security,” said Tolentino in his resolution.

This alone prompted him to urge the Senate panel on national defense to investigate the alleged act with the end in view of reviewing Republic Act No. 4200 as well as the rules and protocols of government officials while dealing with foreign officials.