NBI to file espionage raps vs Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will file charges of espionage against a Chinese national who was arrested outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Intramuros, Manila yesterday for alleged possession of a surveillance device.

A case for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act will be filed against the suspect before the Department of Justice today, NBI-National Capital Region chief Ferdinand Lavin told The STAR.

The suspect, whose identity has yet to be released, is being held at the NBI detention facility, Lavin said.

The NBI asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to verify the foreigner’s travel history and legal status in the country.

The NBI recovered from the suspect an IMSI catcher, a device that can collect International Mobile Subscriber Identity data from cell phones within a wide radius, potentially intercepting calls, texts and other communications.

Lavin raised concern about a possible attempt by the suspect to gather election-related information.

“The NBI will subject the seized equipment to cyber forensic examination to determine the extent of the data collected,” Lavin told reporters.

According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the suspect had been seen circling the Comelec vicinity for five days.

“The election is approaching. The suspect’s vehicle was parked in front of the Comelec. That’s concerning,” Santiago said.

The NBI has also summoned a Makati-based firm allegedly hired by the Chinese embassy to operate a network of online “keyboard warriors” in an effort to interfere in the midterm elections.

NBI Assistant Director Noel Bocaling confirmed that the bureau’s intelligence service has been investigating the company amid concerns raised by the National Security Council.