China spies infiltrating LGUs? NBI checking

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into reports that Chinese spies have been using civic organizations as cover to infiltrate local government units (LGUs) to gather intelligence information.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago expressed concern yesterday amid reports that arrested Chinese nationals accused of espionage had donated cash and vehicles to LGUs and police units.

While accepting donations is not inherently suspicious, Santiago said this could be part of a broader scheme to manipulate local officials and gather intelligence information.

“That is their strategy – to come out openly in the community and mingle with local officials. That is dangerous,” Santiago said.

According to the NBI, some people associated with these organizations could be “sleepers” or “covert operatives.”

“They establish so-called civic organizations, or in some cases, they marry locals to justify their continued stay in the Philippines,” Santiago said.

Authorities said social interactions between these groups and government officials could lead to unintentional intelligence leaks.

“Once you start mingling with them, thinking they are friends, you engage in conversations, and you may unknowingly relay information they want to obtain,” Santiago said.

The NBI, in coordination with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, will conduct a probe on donations made by suspected Chinese spies to LGUs and police offices.

Malacañang has also ordered an investigation on the matter.

A Reuters report revealed that four Chinese nationals accused of espionage led Chinese Communist Party-affiliated groups that donated P500,000 to the Tarlac city government, 10 motorcycles to the Manila police and 10 patrol vehicles to the Tarlac police and local government.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police will continue accepting donations, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.

Fajardo noted that the PNP has clear guidelines and processes to ensure that “acts of charity for the police organization are aboveboard.” — Emmanuel Tupas