On Tuesday, a Chinese national was apprehended near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, for allegedly carrying a sophisticated surveillance device. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) identified the equipment as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher, a tool capable of intercepting mobile phone communications and tracking location data.
The suspect, identified as Tak Hoi Lao, was reportedly driving a vehicle equipped with the eavesdropping device. Authorities have charged him under the Espionage Law and the Cybercrime Prevention Act, citing concerns over potential interference in the upcoming midterm elections. The NBI emphasized that the IMSI catcher could mimic cellular towers to collect sensitive information within a three-kilometer radius.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia assured the public that no election data was compromised, as the headquarters does not store such information. However, the incident has raised alarms about foreign interference in the Philippines’ electoral process, with some officials linking it to broader geopolitical tensions.
The arrest follows a series of similar incidents involving Chinese nationals allegedly conducting surveillance operations near sensitive government and military locations. As investigations continue, the NBI plans to subject the seized equipment to forensic examination to determine the extent of its use.
This development underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding national security and the integrity of democratic processes.
