AUTHORITIES on Wednesday arrested a Chinese at Grande Island in Subic, Zambales for violation of securities regulation and cybercrime laws, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.
Four other Chinese, a Cambodian, and two Filipinos were arrested in operations conducted by a composite team from the Armed Forces, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
It was unclear what the allegations against the seven were.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong linked the arrest to espionage, among others.
“The arrest exposes the unlawful nature, including suspected espionage and kidnapping activities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, for which some foreign nationals are using Grande Island under the guise of private enterprises,” he said.
“Such activities, which may be part of larger criminal network operations, pose a serious threat to our national security,” he added.
Grande Island has a clear view of Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal.
China gained control of Scarborough Shoal, which is some 124 nautical miles from mainland Zambales, in 2012. Since then, the Chinese have prevented Filipinos from fishing inside the shoal’s lagoon.
Andolong said Chinese Ye Tianwu, also known as Qui Feng and Qing Feng, was nabbed on Wednesday morning on the basis of a warrant of arrest for violations under of Republic Act (RA) 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code, and RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The seven others who were arrested during the operation were Chinese Xu Xining, Ye Xiaocan, Su Anlong, and He Peng; Cambodian Ang Deck, also known as Ang Dick; and Filipinos Melvin Mañosa Aguillon Jr. and Jeffrey Espiridion, who are employees of the Cambodian.
Seized from the eight suspects were cellphones and laptops, a caliber 9mm pistol and 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Andolong said the defense department is looking forward to working with the SBMA and other concerned agencies in exploring the possibility of declaring Grande Island and the nearby Chiquita Island as military reservations.
“This will ultimately help secure the operations of the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone including the Riviera Wharf and the Subic Bay International Airport, in consonance with the ongoing development of the naval operating base of the Philippine Navy to strengthen and maintain our strategic presence along our western seaboard,” said Andolong.
He noted that Grande Island “is a strategic vantage point with a clear view of key sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea, including Bajo de Masinloc.”
