PNP checking if gadgets seized from Chinese used for espionage

The Philippine National Police is looking into the possibility that gadgets seized from a Chinese national were being used for scamming and espionage activities.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Dano Tingcungco on Thursday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group cyber warrant on the gadgets provided additional evidence to file a complaint of illegal interception and misuse of illegal devices against the suspect.

While they were unable to provide further details on the assessment, PNP confirmed that they requested another cyber warrant to investigate the contents of the gadgets.

“It appears na mayroon doon na may narecover na ebidensiya that would establish na nagagamit ito sa scamming activities,” said PNP Acting Chief Public Information Officer Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

(It appears that they were able to recover evidence that would establish that these were being used for scamming activities)

“Dahil may mga nakita pa po sila doong mga ebidensya that may require issuance for another cyber warrant to examine data for purposes of filing of a separate case that might have a link doon nga po sa sinasabi niyo pong espionage. Until such time na magkaroon ng cyber warrant with respect to this data, it is premature to disclose kung ano po yung laman nito,” she added.

(Because they saw evidence that may require issuance for another cyber warrant to examine data for purposes of filing a separate case that might have a link to what you are referring to as espionage. Until such time that we can get a cyber warrant concerning this data, it is premature to disclose the contents.)

The Chinese national, who was arrested for pointing a gun in Makati City, remains under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration and will not yet be flagged as a spy.

Despite this, the PNP said that owning a radio transmitter without permission was a red flag that raised suspicion.

“[Has] this gadget been used or will be used for espionage activities? That will be [the] subject of the further examination. Sabi nga po ng CIDG sa akin kanina (As the CIDG told me earlier), they are being careful not to disclose too much,” Fajardo shared.

During the arrest of said Chinese national last May, the PNP was able to seize various gadgets, equipment set with circuit boards, a portable power station, a military-grade drone, a high-powered firearm, and a bundle of P1,000 bills.

A court in Makati granted the PNP permission for a forensic examination after they found probable cause that "illegal interception have been committed, are being committed, or about to be committed."

“[Y]ou are hereby authorized to issue an order directing the applicant to retain and utilize the seized and examined computer data, including the result of the onsite and offsite computer forensic examination, in the investigation and the subsequent filing for violation of Republic Act 10175… against respondent and his cohorts,” said the Makati court.

The PNP investigated one Iphone 15, one antenna system multi-band directional, two pieces of battery units, one solar inverter, one radio receiver/transmitter, one huawei router, one Apple tablet, two mobile phones, one laptop, one inverter unit, one aerial drone, one CPU, and one portable power station under said warrant. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News