THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said the arrest of an alleged Chinese spy near its main office in Intramuros, Manila is “worrisome” while Malacañang said it is “alarming.”
Chinese Tak Hoi Lao was arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the National Bureau Investigation near for alleged spying. He underwent inquest proceedings yesterday at the Department of Justice.
An inquest is an informal and summary investigation conducted by a state prosecutor in criminal cases involving persons arrested and detained without the benefit of a warrant of arrest issued by the court. It serves to determine whether the apprehended person will remain under custody and be charged in court.
Tak is facing charges of misuse of devices, illegal interception and system interference both under Section 4 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and espionage under Section 1 of Commonwealth Act 616 also known as Espionage Act of 194, as amended in relation to RA 10175.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to comment on Tak’s arrest.
‘’It is quite alarming,’’ Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a briefing in Malacañang.
She said a thorough investigation should also be done.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said, “We want to express… We are worried about this kind of development since it is like having (a stranger) right outside your home.”
“This would mean that it is not impossible that this is also happening in other government offices or other Comelec offices,” he added.
Garcia said the presence of the alleged spy near the Comelec could be related to their alleged attempt to intervene in the midterm elections this month.
“What would be their purpose in doing that? Is it to enhance their mind conditioning efforts? We want to know that,” said Garcia.
But he assured the public that the purported efforts of the arrested Chinese national at the Comelec main office were futile.
Tak was arrested in his vehicle which was parked outside the Comelec main office.
“There are no election data at the Comelec main office. We can guarantee that no system or data of the Commission have been compromised,” said Garcia.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said Tak arrived in the country only last April 25 and has “no derogatory record.”
“No entry visa po yung Macau Special Administrative Region,” Sandoval told reporters.
Tak’s passport was issued by the Macau Special Administrative Region.
Sandoval said they are coordinating with other government agencies in probing Tak and his activities since he arrived in the country.
Tak refused to comment as he was asked by reporters after the inquest.
Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros said Tak’s arrest is “deeply concerning not just for the upcoming elections but also for our national security.”
Once proven that the Chinese man is a spy, Hontiveros said, this will have “serious implications” on the already-fraught relationship between Manila and Beijing.
“Government must remain vigilant. We cannot allow any foreign power to shape our politics, our national security, and our democracy,” she said.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said on Tuesday they seized from the Chinese national an alleged International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher, a device which is capable of intercepting mobile phone communications and tracking location data inside the suspect’s vehicle. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Raymond Africa
Santiago said his men had been monitoring Tak for four days before his arrested, while he roamed Makati and Taguig cities in a rented vehicle.
He said they are investigating why Tak made several rounds in his vehicle at the area where the Comelec is located. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Raymond Africa
