NBI arrests Chinese near Comelec over alleged spying

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'Wala po [kaming] election data sa main [office], kaya po wala dapat ikabahala. We run [a] test, nothing was compromised on any of our system,' Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia says

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a Chinese in Manila, near the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) headquarters, over alleged espionage.

NBI personnel arrested a man named Tak Hoi Lao during an operation in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, April 29. He will face a complaint for alleged violation of espionage law, in relation to anti-cybercrime prevention act.

In an interview with DZRH, NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said they also seized an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (catcher) from the man. This gadget, according to Lavin, can tap into active mobile gadgets within 500 meters to three kilometers of coverage.

The NBI official said that the gadget can tap into the conversations and messages in a mobile gadget. He added that the IMSI catcher was assembled within the country.

“Delikado ito. Mapanganib ito sa ating national security matters (This is dangerous. This is dangerous to our national security matters),” said Lavin, adding that the IMSI operation might be targeting the Comelec.

“That’s a possibility. We’re not saying that’s it. But that’s a possibility. Why would you go to our areas in Intramuros, especially the Comelec?” the NBI spokesperson said.

The country will hold the 2025 midterm elections in less than two weeks. As a response to the incident, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia assured the public that there’s nothing to be worried about following the Chinese’s arrest.

“Wala po [kaming] election data sa main [office], kaya po wala dapat ikabahala. We run [a] test, nothing was compromised on any of our system (We do not have election data in our main office, so there’s nothing to be worried about),” Garcia told reporters.

This was not the first time that Philippine authorities arrested users of IMSI catcher. Lavin said they already operated against users in some crucial areas like around Malacañang and US Embassy – both in Manila.

He added that so far, all the arrested users are Chinese. They have yet to identify and establish a clear connection among the arrested users, Lavin said.

Earlier, authorities also arrested an alleged Chinese spy who had surveyed 120 critical spots in Luzon. Philippine authorities also revealed earlier this year that China was allegedly spying on the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy in Palawan. – With a report from Michelle Abad/Rappler.com