Malacañang beefs up security after arrest of Chinese ‘spies’

MANILA, Philippines — Following the arrest of Chinese nationals allegedly spying on Malacañang, military and police camps, the Marcos administration yesterday vowed to strengthen security measures.

Chinese Ni Qinhui and Zheng Wei were nabbed along with three Filipinos by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for alleged espionage activities in Malate, Manila on Feb. 20.

The suspects reportedly targeted the Villamor Airbase, Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Crame, the US embassy in Manila and Malacañang.

“Of course, that news is alarming. We will intensify our forces to fight the alleged spies,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said. “We need to beef up the security of the Palace and the President.”

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) database reportedly showed there are several foreigners bearing the same name as the two Chinese arrested by the NBI.

“We are verifying the identities and profile of the Chinese suspects,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

She said the BI would submit the information to the Department of Justice and Department of the Interior and Local Government to help in the case build-up.

The NBI said its units were alerted about suspicious vehicles using international mobile subscriber identity or IMSI catchers frequenting military, police camps and other government facilities in Metro Manila on Feb. 14.

Meanwhile, President Marcos would thoroughly study the bill granting Philippine citizenship to Chinese businessman Li Duan Wang, according to Malacañang.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is opposed to the measure, citing Li’s alleged ties to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

POGO, SIM card

Malacañang is open to amending the policies on POGOs and SIM card registration to intensify the government’s crackdown on scams.

Although the government has banned POGOs, Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed concern over the reported resurgence of the gambling entities, saying they are reinventing themselves into scam hubs.

Senate President Francis Escudero scolded authorities tasked to crack down on the remnants of the banned POGO, saying agencies still lacked coordination.

Escudero made the remark following the raid on a POGO hub in Pasay, just near the Senate building.

Over 400 POGO workers, mostly Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, were arrested. Fifty-two Filipinos were also rounded up.

Escudero tasked the police, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to coordinate with the NBI and BI to better track down the POGO players who continue to evade the ban. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab