AFP: Equipment of arrested Chinese possibly for communications hacking

Authorities are checking whether the high-tech and military-grade devices of the Chinese citizen who was nabbed for pointing a gun in Makati City were possibly used for communications hacking, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said the AFP is investigating the Chinese man, who earlier claimed himself to be a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) employee.

“Ang sabi natin [we said that], he is in possession of unauthorized firearms and also equipment potentially linking to communications hacking,” Padilla said.

Among those seized by the police from the Chinese’s place of arrest were various devices, an equipment set with circuit boards, a portable power station, a military-grade drone, a high-powered firearm, and a bundle of P1,000 bills.

Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Imelda Reyes had said they have to tap experts to validate why the Chinese man was in possession of the various accessories and for what kind of activities these were being used for.

According to Padilla, the case is considered “sensitive” as a foreigner is involved. Despite this, she said the AFP is closely coordinating with PNP and other relevant agencies regarding the matter.

“Meron naman tayong necessary agencies at saka ‘yung ating mga units na in-charge tungkol dito. They are also equipped with the necessary equipment to test and check on these equipment. Tignan natin kung ano ang kalalabasan,” she added.

(We have the necessary agencies and units on this. They are also equipped with the necessary equipment to test and check on these equipment. Let's see what the outcome is.)

Padilla stressed the AFP does not want the issue to cause unnecessary panic among the public, but at the same time advised people to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious to concerned authorities. 

The Chinese is detained at the CIDG National Capital Region Custodial Center. He said he had been a resident of the Philippines for the past six years.

When asked what he did for a living in the country, he replied, "POGO."—RF, GMA Integrated News