NBI: Alleged China spies targeted NGCP, military sites

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division revealed that the alleged Chinese spies arrested in the Philippines had been surveilling power plants, power grids, and substations operated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

According to Ivan Mayrina's Friday 24 Oras report, the suspects used LiDAR sensors, which can capture precise location details and transmit data in real time.

The spy network was divided into two teams: a sea-based and a land-based unit. 

They also monitored Ulugan Oyster Bay and Buliluyan Port in Bataraza, Palawan, using CCTV surveillance.

“Buliluyan, Bataraza is strategically important in southern Palawan. It is near an EDCA site, and Philippine Coast Guard vessels dock here after missions in the West Philippine Sea. It also serves as a secondary port due to its proximity to the North Balabac Strait, a vital sea lane where Navy vessels and planes have been monitored passing through in recent months,” said NBI Cybercrime Division chief Jeremy Lontoc.

Lontoc also disclosed that the spies possessed a detailed map of Subic, Zambales, marking key locations such as naval bases, airstrips, and power grids.

“’Yung isa diyan airstrip, ‘yung isa naval base, then power grid… ‘Yung isa yun yung position ng ating perpetrator. May marka siya towards the left side. Nung tinranslate natin through Google Translate, may nakasulat na Navy, [at] may nakasulat na airport. So, mayroon silang pinaplano diyan,” Lontoc said.

(One location was an airstrip, another a naval base, and then a power grid. The suspect had marked a specific position. When translated from Chinese, the markings indicated "Navy" and "airport." This suggests they were planning something.)

Response, investigation

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed concern over the alleged espionage and said he was awaiting the results of the NBI investigation.

The NBI has custody of the suspects, with three facing espionage and Anti-Cybercrime Law violation cases before the Makati Regional Trial Court. All have pleaded not guilty.

Authorities are also pointing to a person under investigation (PUI) in China, believed to be directing both teams of alleged spies.

“[Based on] intelligence information that we gathered, mayroon kaming PUI na wala dito. Nasa China. Basically China, because yun yung identification niya na nagdi-direct sa grupo na to. So isang grupo nina Deng, then pangalawang grupo nila Cai. Mayroong iisang individual na nagdi-direct sa kanila,” said Lontoc.

(Based on intelligence, we identified a PUI currently in China, directing the operations of these two groups—one led by Deng, the other by Cai.)

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año assured the public that the government was enhancing counterintelligence and surveillance to strengthen national security. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM, GMA Integrated News