By Wilnard Bacelonia

ESPIONAGE. National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director and spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin during the presentation in March 2025 of several Chinese nationals, a Cambodian and a Filipino who are facing violations of the espionage law. On Tuesday (April 29),  another Chinese national was arrested for allegedly conducting surveillance operations near the Commission on Elections in Manila. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Tuesday said the arrest of a Chinese national allegedly carrying surveillance equipment near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila confirms earlier warnings that foreign interference threatens the upcoming elections.

The suspect was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday. Spy equipment were found in the suspect’s vehicle, parked outside the Comelec’s main office in Intramuros.

In a statement, Tolentino pointed to the discovery of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher inside the suspect’s vehicle as a direct evidence of ongoing covert operations.

He noted that the development validates the findings of last week’s Senate inquiry, which exposed efforts by China to meddle in the Philippines’ democratic processes.

“The arrest reinforces what we revealed — that there is an active attempt to undermine our elections,” he said, lauding the NBI for its “timely and critical action” to thwart what he called an “insidious plan” to advance Beijing’s agenda.

Tolentino, principal author of Senate Bill No. 2951 or the proposed Counter Foreign Interference Act, said he is pushing for stronger laws to modernize the country’s out-dated anti-espionage framework, which dates back to the Commonwealth era.

“With vigilance from the government, intelligence community, and the people, any sinister attempt to compromise our democracy will surely fail,” he added. (PNA)