QUEZON CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating donations made by suspected Chinese spies to a local government unit (LGU) in Tarlac, as well as to the local police forces of that LGU and the city of Manila. Meanwhile, a leader in the House of Representatives is calling for stricter safeguards against potential foreign espionage and influence, particularly with the upcoming May elections.

“I believe that the chief PNP had already ordered the inquiry on that matter para malaman kung ano ang puno’t dulo dyan at yung exact circumstances ng donations na ‘yan,” PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Nicolas Torre III said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, referring to PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

Torre was responding to a Reuters report that identified four Chinese nationals—Wang Yongyi, Wu Junren, Cai Shaohuang, and Chen Haitao Wang—who lead the Philippine China Association of Promotion of Peace and Friendship and the Qiaoxing Volunteer Group. The report stated that these individuals made donations to Tarlac City, its local police, and the Manila Police District (MPD) in 2022.

According to the report, Wang donated a check worth PHP 500,000 to the city government of Tarlac in July 2022, labeled as a “poverty alleviation bursary.” In September of the same year, Qiaoxing donated 10 patrol vehicles to the Tarlac police and the city government. Also in September, Wang, Wu, and Cai donated 10 Chinese-made Sinski motorbikes, valued at around $2,500, to the MPD.

Wang, Wu, Cai, and Chen were among five Chinese nationals arrested by Philippine authorities in late January for allegedly flying drones that captured images and maps of Philippine naval forces near the South China Sea. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported that the suspects’ mobile phones contained photographs of key sites and vessels of the Philippine Navy.

Torre stated that the report would prompt “closer scrutiny” of donation activities by foreign socio-civic groups in the country. “These activities will undergo closer scrutiny—that is natural and expected,” he emphasized.

The CIDG chief added, “May mga sinusunod na mga policies and guidelines regarding sa mga acceptance ng donations. Continuous naman ang evaluation ng mga allied groups kasi may mga accredited groups ang PNP, marami yan. Hindi naman tinatarget lang ‘yung Chinese organizations.”

“It could have been donated to the local government, which the PNP really does not have any control over. I don’t want to speculate… It’s still subject to investigation,” Torre further noted.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Majority Leader and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun has urged the Department of National Defense to strengthen security measures across key government facilities, military installations, and embassies nationwide.

The lawmaker’s call followed the recent arrest of two additional Chinese nationals suspected of espionage and possession of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers—sophisticated devices capable of mimicking cell towers and intercepting messages within a 1 to 3-kilometer radius.

Khonghun stressed, “Hindi ito simpleng kaso ng mga dayuhang na-curious sa ating gobyerno. May intensyon ito, may plano. Hindi natin puwedeng ipagkibit-balikat. Kailangan nating tiyakin na may sapat tayong depensa laban sa paniniktik ng ibang bansa.”

He further emphasized the need for stronger internal security protocols, stating, “Hindi sapat ang simpleng pagkondena. Kailangan nating palakasin ang ating counterintelligence, tiyakin na may sapat tayong teknolohiya para mapigilan ang paniniktik, at palawakin ang koordinasyon ng ating mga ahensya.”

Khonghun also called for modernization in counterintelligence efforts. “Kailangan nating i-modernize ang ating counterintelligence. Hindi lang sa pisikal na pagbabantay ito—kailangan natin ng mas epektibong cyber-defense, mas maayos na intelligence-sharing, at mas mataas na antas ng seguridad sa ating mga military at government offices.”

He further warned, “Mas delikado kung ang paniniktik ay nauuwi sa impluwensya sa eleksyon. Dapat nating tukuyin kung may mga kandidato na maaaring nagsisilbi sa dayuhang interes at siguruhing hindi sila makakuha ng posisyon sa gobyerno.”

📷 Saturday News Forum