NBI arrests Chinese national, seizes spy device near Comelec main office

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation arrested a Chinese national on Tuesday, April 29, and confiscated spy devices from his vehicle parked outside the Commission on Elections' main office in Manila.

The NBI says the Chinese national — identified as "Tak Hoi Lao" on his Macau-issued passport — was arrested over alleged violations of the espionage law, Data Privacy Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Authorities seized an "alleged" International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher from his vehicle — a device that can imitate real cell towers to intercept mobile phone communications and track location data.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago was present during the operation.

Following the arrest, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia told reporters that the poll body's main headquarters in Manila does not house election data. 

"Kaya wala po dapat ikabahala (So there is nothing to worry about)," Garcia said. "We ran the test, nothing was compromised on any of our systems." 

The NBI has previously arrested other Chinese nationals accused of driving vehicles with IMSI catchers near government agencies and military, and police camps. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has flagged the use of such devices to map key areas in the Philippines. 

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— with reports by Ian Laqui