CIDG: Alleged Chinese spies’ donation to 2 police forces under probe

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is already looking into the circumstances surrounding the reported donations made by alleged Chinese spies to two police forces and a local government unit (LGU).

“I believe that the chief PNP had already ordered the inquiry on that matter, para malaman kung ano ang puno’t dulo niyan at circumstance nung donation na ‘yan,” PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Major General Nicolas Torre III said at the Saturday News Forum.

(To find out what is the full and end of that and the circumstances of that donation.)

Torre was asked to comment on an exclusive report by Reuters about three Chinese nationals, accused of espionage, who as leaders of socio-civic groups made donations to the city of Tarlac and two police forces.

“It is possible cause for inquiry and investigation on the part of the police, especially on the internal mechanisms relating to certain donations from foreign entities,” Torre said.

The PNP-CIDG chief said that the exposé would trigger “closer scrutiny” of foreign socio-civic groups’ activities in the country.

“These activities will undergo closer scrutiny, natural ‘yan and expected ‘yan,” Torre said.

The police official, nevertheless, said that the PNP has guidelines and protocols in place as far as accepting foreign donations is concerned.

“May mga sinusunod na mga policies and guidelines regarding sa mga acceptance ng donations,” said Torre.

(There are policies and guidelines regarding the acceptance of donations.)

“Continuous naman kasi ang evaluation ng mga allied groups kasi may mga accredited groups ang PNP, marami yan... Continuous yan at hindi naman tinatarget lang ‘yung Chinese organizations,” he added. 

(The evaluation of allied groups is continuous because the PNP has accredited groups and there are many of them. It is continuous and it is not just targeting Chinese organizations.)

The office of the mayor of Manila, whose police force took motorbikes from the men, said in response to Reuters' questions that the "deed of donation and motorcycles... were found to be in order.''

The mayor of Tarlac City and the two police forces did not respond to requests for comment.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said it always asks Chinese nationals overseas to abide by local laws and regulations. 

''We firmly oppose any baseless accusation and speculation aimed at smearing China and Chinese citizens. Over the years, Chinese citizens in the Philippines have been helping the Filipino people through humanitarian donations and relief work, which are widely welcomed and warmly applauded by the locals,'' the embassy said. —VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News