Recently in the city of ParaƱaque, elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found a new scam hub inside a condominium unit and arrested a Chinese nation, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
A Chinese national has been arrested in a reported scam hub in ParaƱaque City, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.
In a statement, the NBI identified the foreigner as Li Zhenjie who was arrested last Nov. 21 during the service of a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) by operatives of the bureauās Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD). It also said that seized were ādevices containing critical social engineering scripts.ā
Li has been charged before the ParaƱaque City Prosecutorās Office for social engineering schemes in violations of Section 4(b)(1) of Republic Act (RA) No. 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, in relation to RA 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, it added.
The NBI said its application for the issuance of a search warrant was based on confidential information on āa sophisticated scam operating from a condominium unit in ParaƱaque City.ā
It said the information stated that āthe perpetrators were using spoofed contact numbers, impersonating agents of the New Haven Police Department in Connecticut, USA, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Washington.ā
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of ParaƱaque, are you concerned that there could be a lot more secretive scam operations handled by Chinese nationals within the city? Do you think the suspect could be a spy working for Communist China? What do you think makes ParaƱaque such an attractive destination for scam operations?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Were you able to spot and buy fruits imported from America at the local markets here in the Philippines over the past month? The United States will soon introduce new varieties of fruit to the Philippines in what is seen as a serious effort to break Chinaās dominance, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
The United States (US) aims to introduce new fruit varieties to the Philippines to boost its share of the import market, which has long been dominated by China.
In a market brief published last week by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), American exporters were urged to introduce innovative fruit varieties to the country to sustain the momentum in apple exports.
The USDA expects exports of fresh fruits to fall by at least seven percent to around $13 million this year from $14 million in 2024.
Despite this, the foreign agency said shipments of apples to the country will grow this year, driven by the popularity of the Ambrosia, Cosmic Crisp, and SugarBee varieties. These varieties were introduced to the Philippine market last year and have since gained traction among consumers.
āConsumers are eager to try new-to-market fruit varieties and share their experiences on social media,ā the report read.
The USDA noted that only bananas and papayas are harvested year-round in the country, creating an opportunity for American exporters to fill market gaps year-round.
āThe United States is widely recognized for consistently supplying premium-quality fruit, and US exporters are encouraged to leverage this reputation,ā it said.
The USDA, citing Philippine government data, expects fresh fruit imports this year to grow by 25 percent to around $400 million, up from $321 million in 2024.
Last year, the US only accounted for a three percent share in the import market. Its main shipments were apples, cherries, grapes, oranges, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, and peaches.
In contrast, China seized 72 percent of the market last year, with its main exports being apples, grapes, mandarins, oranges, and other citrus hybrids.
Also outperforming the US were South Africa and Australia with market shares of nine percent and eight percent, respectively.
With the exception of South Africa, the USDA noted that the dominance of regional suppliers is a result of better prices, largely driven by lower shipping costs and zero-tariff advantages under free trade agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
āThe Philippines does not have a preferential trade agreement with the United States or South Africa. As a result, MFN (most-favored-nation) tariff rates apply to fresh fruit imports from both countries,ā the report read.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Did you buy any fruits in the local market that were imported from the United States of America? Does the name or image of US President Donald Trump influence your decisions on buying American fruits locally? Apart from prices, how would you compare American fruits with the ones from China in terms of taste, texture and satisfaction?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In response to the abuse of visa processes and cases of fraud committed by some foreigners, Japan recently tightened the rules for applying for the Business Manager Visa and also raised the capital requirement by six times, according to varied sources. To put things in perspective, the said visa was launched by Japan over a decade ago in order to attract foreign entrepreneurs who can contribute a lot to building up the national economy and create new jobs.
To get yourselves oriented, watch the English-language analytical news video of NHK World by clicking here. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from NHKās English news report. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
Japan’s business manager residence status, introduced a decade ago to lure entrepreneurs from overseas, has become increasingly popular. More than 41,000 people held it last year.
But concerns have grown that the status was being misused as an easy path to immigration, prompting the government to tighten rules this month – including a steep increase in capital requirements.
Worries about abuse ā With the number of business manager visas issued more than doubling in ten years, worries have grown that it was being misused – a view highlighted by then-justice minister Suzuki Keisuke earlier this month.
“It was pointed out that the residential status is abused by some foreigners as a means of moving to Japan, as permit standards are lax compared to the same systems in other countries.” (Suzuki Keisuke)
How have the requirements changed? āJapan introduced this visa 10 years ago to attract foreign entrepreneurs. The goal was to boost investment and create jobs. But new rules for the visa were introduced in October.
The capital requirement was raised six-fold, from 5 million to 30 million yen. That means incoming applicants will need nearly 200,000 dollars in the bank.
The rules also require companies to hire at least one full-time employee, who must be, for example, a Japanese citizen or permanent resident.
It also requires that applicants have at least three years of business management experience or hold at least a masterās degree.
Why tighten the rules? ā Authorities said the capital requirement was too low. In addition, they’ve seen a number of fraudulent applications using shell companies that aren’t actually operative in the real world.
“Someone who has no intention of engaging in business activities can obtain business manager residence status as a means of immigrating to Japan. But that is not acceptable from our viewpoint. We made these changes because we believe the previous requirements were too loose.” (Ito Junji)
Over 41,000 people had business manager residence status last year. That number has more than doubled over the last decade.
Social situation in China may be one cause of the increase ā More than half of the people holding this residence status are Chinese. Of course, there are legitimate applications. But the visa has also been widely advertised on social media as a means of moving to Japan.
And some Chinese residents are looking for a way to escape their country’s harsh rules. For example, Beijing’s strict lockdown policies during the coronavirus pandemic pushed people away. And China’s high-pressure “entrance exam war” is another reason why people want to leave China. They want to raise their children in Japan to avoid that kind of pressure.
Meanwhile, The Japan News (of The Yomiuri Shimbun) published an editorial about the recent tightening of rules regarding the Business Management Visa. Posted below is an excerpt. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
A status of residence originally created to help Japanās economic growth by accepting entrepreneur-minded foreign nationals is being abused.
The system must be changed in line with its original intent, while authorities must firmly crack down on illegal residency.
The Justice Ministry has tightened the requirements for obtaining the business manager visa, a type of residence status, by revising a ministerial ordinance under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law.
This type of visa was created in 2015 for foreign nationals who launch businesses in Japan. The number of business manager visa holders has continued to increase, reaching 44,800 in June this year.
In recent years, there have been cases where foreign nationals have reportedly obtained this visa fraudulently by establishing shell companies. The Immigration Services Agency investigated 300 applications suspected of fraud and found that 90% of them had irregularities such as having no actual business operations.
It is believed that the holders of this visa in those cases have come to Japan under the guise of starting businesses with their real purpose being to bring their families for advanced medical treatment or to provide their children with high-quality education. This situation where the systemās original intent is being disregarded cannot be overlooked.
Previously, the government granted this status of residence for up to five years if applicants had an office in Japan and met either of these requirements: having capital of Ā„5 million or more or hiring two or more full-time employees.
Under the revised ministerial ordinance, the minimum capital requirement has been raised to Ā„30 million and it is now mandatory to hire at least one full-time employee. A certain level of Japanese language ability is another new requirement.
In South Korea, obtaining a similar visa requires about Ā„32 million in capital, and in the United States, about Ā„15 million to Ā„30 million in capital is needed. Compared to other countries, Japanās lenient visa criteria may have contributed to the rampant abuse.
There are other areas that need to be changed. Currently, screenings for the visa have been conducted primarily through documents alone. If illegal acquisition is suspected, why not conduct interviews with the applicants in addition to on-site inspections?
It is also important to check business operations regularly after the visa is granted. To that end, strengthening the system for immigration checks is indispensable.
Some people say that because screenings of registrations for companies and other entities have been lax in the first place, shell companies have been used as covers for money laundering and other purposes. The loose screening system must be overhauled.
As you can see in the above editorial excerpt, cases of abuse and fraud were spotted by Japanās government already. In related to the findings, watch the China Observer YouTube video below.
The China Observer video pointed out that a lot of foreigners who applied for Japanās Business Manager Visa before were Chinese nationals. Some Chinese nationals see the said visa as a shortcut to immigration into Japan and get away from mainland China where their lives allegedly have been hard and restrictive. It is also widely reported that China has been having serious economic problems for years now.
Going back to the Japanese authorities, the changes made on the Business Manager Visa were meant to prevent further fraud from happening, to ensure that companies have substantial operational capability, and prevent the proliferation of shell companies. Along the way, the authorities want to make certain that those who applied for the visa have at least 3 years entrepreneurial experience or have a masterās degree in business management, so that the foreigners (who secretly have no intention to contribute to Japanās economy) can be prevented from entering.
When it comes to the abuses of the Business Manager Visa, Japanese authorities discovered cases of fraud such as some small buildings in Tokyo and Osaka had as many as fifty different company names registered with the same address, and often with no real staff present. These visa-related fraud cases only add to the endless problems Japan already has. That being said, Japanese authorities did the right thing with tightening the rules and adjusting requirements for the Business Management Visa.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think that too many foreigners abused the Business Management Visa already? Did you notice any foreigners who want to migrate to Japan with a hidden agenda that would only lead to trouble? Do you think other countries should follow Japanās example?
Recently in the city of ParaƱaque, agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested two Chinese nationals ā one fugitive and the other with a hold departure order from a local court ā according to a news report by GMA News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
A Chinese national wanted in his home country for allegedly duping his victims of over $900,000 through fraudulent investment schemes was recently arrested in ParaƱaque City, the Bureau of Immigration said on Monday.
The BI’s Fugitive Search Unit collared the 36-year-old suspect during an operation along Aseana Avenue in Barangay Tambo in the evening of Sept. 29. Aside from being a fugitive, the suspect was also found to be an overstaying alien.
The Chinese national is wanted by the Jiutai District Court in Chang Chun City, Jilin Province, China, for illegal absorption of public deposits.
The suspect allegedly conspired with other Chinese nationals in defrauding 6.54 RMB (renminbi) or around $918,603 from 42 investors between 2016 and 2019 by enticing them to put their money in fraudulent investment schemes.
During the same operation, the BI agents also encountered another Chinese national, a 53-year-old man with active derogatory records and is facing a hold departure order from a ParaƱaque City court.
Both foreigners were taken into custody following booking and documentation procedures and will be turned over to the BIās Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of ParaƱaque, are you concerned that there could be more Chinese fugitives living secretly in your local community? What do you think makes ParaƱaque a hot spot of criminal activity involving Chinese nationals?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
While Spain and other nations of Europe are struggling with the high number of illegal migrants and foreign nationals who keep on trespassing into their respective territories, the Philippines deported more than one thousand four hundred foreigners in the first half of 2025 over a series of violations of immigration law, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the first PNA news article. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
The number of foreign nationals who were deported during the first half of the year doubled compared to last year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Friday.
According to Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, data from the bureauās deportation and implementation unit (DIU) revealed that a total of 1,422 foreign nationals were deported due to immigration violations during the period. The BI recorded 717 deportees during the same period in 2024.
Chinese nationals topped the list with 957, followed by 231 Vietnamese, 41 South Koreans, 41 Malaysians, and 37 Burmese.
Viado said majority of the deportations were foreigners found to be illegally working in Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country despite the ban.
āOur strengthened deportation protocols follow the directive of the President to act swiftly and remove foreigners who abuse our peopleās hospitality. We will continue expediting the deportation of foreign nationals who violate our laws,ā the BI chief added in a statement.
The BI earlier reported improvements in deportation protocols, including fast-tracking clearances in partnership with the National Bureau of Investigation, immediate resolution of cases suspected to be filed under the ādemanda meā scheme, regular coordination with embassies for swift issuance of travel documents, and opening of a new holding facility for arrested aliens.Meanwhile, Viado also reported the arrest on July 22 of two Sudanese nationals found to be undocumented in San Carlos City, Pangasinan.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the national authorities will be able to apprehend and deport more illegal aliens who are still on the lose all over the Philippines? Do you think the authorities can double the number of deportees by the end of this year?
Months after initial communications were made (click here and here), Philippine President Ferdinand āBongbongā Marcos, Jr. finally met with US President Donald Trump in the White House and this ultimately resulted in a 19% tariff on Philippine goods by America, according to two related news articles (click here and here) by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
For the newcomers reading this, America initially announced a 17% tariff on products from the Philippines last April and it was recently revised to 20% which surprised many here in the Philippines. Now that the American tariff for Philippine goods has been settled at 19%, President Marcos called the reduction significant. It should be noted that America generated more than $100 billion in new revenue from tariffs under Trump this year.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the first PNA news article. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
Philippine exports to the United States (US) will now be subject to a 19 percent tariff, down from the 20 percent Washington initially planned to impose, US President Donald Trump announced following what he called a ābeautiful visitā by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the White House.
Part of the new deal includes granting zero tariffs for American products bound for the Philippines.
Philippine President Marcos with US President Trump at the White House. (photo source – the White House)
āIt was a beautiful visit, and we concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19% Tariff,ā Trump posted on his Truth Social account early Wednesday (Manila time).
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tweet of President Trump’s TRUTH Social post about the meeting with President Marcos and new trade deal.
He also described Marcos as a āvery good and tough negotiator.ā
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the US comprised the highest export value amounting to USD1.115 billion, or 15.3 percent of the countryās total exports in May this year.
Posted below is an excerpt from the other PNA news article related to Marcosā description of the 1% reduction of tariff by America as well as his clarification about Philippinesā zero tariff approach on certain American products coming to the country. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. defended the Philippinesā new trade arrangement with the United States (US), saying the reduced 19 percent tariff on Philippine exportsādown from the proposed 20 percentāis a āsignificant achievement,ā amid questions over its fairness.
āOne percent might seem like a very small concession. However, when you put it in real terms, it is a significant achievement,ā Marcos said in a press briefing following his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday (Manila time).
The President acknowledged that the new deal also opens key Philippine markets to American productsāparticularly vehicles, agricultural goods, and pharmaceuticalsābut said the arrangement will benefit Filipinos through lower prices and stronger bilateral trade.
āWe will open that market and no longer charge tariffs on thatā¦ para makamura naman āyung mga ā maging mas mura āyung gamot natin (so we can lower the cost of medicines),ā he said.
Marcos said while the 19 percent tariff on Philippine goods is still substantial, it reflects a step forward in trade engagement with Washington D.C. and lays the groundwork for future negotiations.
For transparency, posted below is the official video from the White House YouTube channel.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you realize that there is a lot more about US and Philippines relations that go beyond the newly agreed trade agreement? Do you think Americaās 19% tariff on exports from the Philippines will add challenged to the Philippine economy? What do you think about the Trump-Marcos meeting? Did you pay attention to the planned Subic Bay ammunition manufacturing plant that was mentioned? If you are based in the Philippines, do you look forward to importing American-made vehicles, agricultural products and pharmaceutical products once they enter the country without any tariffs imposed on them? Do you think the newest exchange between Trump and Marcos will make Communist China concerned or worried?
Recently authorities here in the Philippines deported over one hundred Chinese nationals who previously worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), according to a news report by GMA News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the GMA News. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
Some 100 Chinese individuals who worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were deported to China on Tuesday.
According to Saleema Refran’s report on Balitanghali, they were deported at around 10:40 a.m.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said China paid for the airfare of the deportees, with the goal of ensuring that they will not be able to escape.
“Importante kasi sa kanila ‘yan dahil marami silang nakukuhang impormasyon dito sa mga bosses kung paano sila nag o-operate, saan sila nag-o-operate, at anu-anong mga sistema sa money laundering ang ginagamit nila,” PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said.
(It’s important to them because they get a lot of information from the bosses here. How they operate, where they operate, and what money laundering systems they use.)
“Ang ayaw kasi nila siyempre ‘yung hindi nakakarating sa China mismo ‘yung mga boss nitong operation ng POGO,” he added.
(What they really don’t want, of course, is for the bosses of these POGO operations to not arrive in China.)
Once in China, the deportees will undergo investigation for scamming, cybercrime, fraud, and money laundering.
Broken apart ā Meanwhile, the Filipino partners and spouses of the deportees were emotional when saying their goodbyes, including one who even brought their six-month child.
“Sobrang sakit po kasi may anak po kami (It really hurts because we have a child),” one of the women said.
The mother is already in contact with the deportee’s family and China, and plans to follow him there with their daughter.
The former workers were arrested during anti-POGO operations in Cebu, Cavite, ParaƱaque, and Pasay.
They have been declared undesirable aliens due to lack of visas and work permits, and for working in illegal POGOs. Aside from these, they have also been blacklisted and can no longer return to the Philippines.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the authorities should do more apprehending the many illegal aliens (former POGO workers) still on the loose so that more will get deported? Are you concerned that there could be many Filipinos who became personally involved with foreigners who worked in POGOs?
The Chinese national who was arrested near the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) building in Manila with high-tech equipment with him has been formally charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), according to a news story by the Philippine New Agency (PNA). GMA Network had its own reporter on location when the arrest happened.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
The National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday filed criminal charges against a Chinese national arrested for possession of electronic eavesdropping equipment near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) building in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday.
Tak Hail Lao, 47, was charged by the NBI before the Department of Justice (DOJ) with misuse of device and illegal interception and system interference under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and espionage under Commonwealth Act No. 616 or the Espionage Act of 1941.
Speaking to reporters, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said while the charges are bailable, āit will be up to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to decide whether temporary liberty should be granted while the case is pending since the suspect is a foreign national.ā
Records from the BI showed that Tak Hail Lao, who uses a passport issued by the Chinese special administrative region of Macau, arrived last April 2 and had no derogatory record.
He was caught in possession of an international mobile subscriber identity device, or IMSI catcher, which can be used to intercept mobile communications, including text messages.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be a lot more Chinese nationals using high-tech equipment in the Philippines doing secret acts of espionage? Do you consider Chinese spies a threat to national security?
Recently at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Chinese national who was found using a fraudulently acquired working visa, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) arrested a Chinese man for using a fraudulently acquired working visa.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said 23-year-old Li Xuanjun was intercepted at the immigration departure area of NAIA Terminal 1 in ParaƱaque City on Jan. 22 before he could board a Philippine Airlines flight for Quanzhou, China. Viado said Li’s name prompted a hit in the bureauās automated derogatory check system.
The hit indicated that the passenger was wanted by the BI for possessing a working visa which he acquired through fraud and misrepresentation.
Verification made by the BI supervisors confirmed that Li and the person who is the subject of the derogatory hit are one and the same.
āWe will be deporting him for being an undesirable alien which stemmed from his acquisition of a visa through dishonest means,ā Viado said. āHis inclusion in our blacklist effectively banned him from re-entering the Philippines.ā
The passenger was turned over to the Order Control and Intelligence Unit which brought him to the warden facility in Taguig City as he undergoes deportation proceedings.
Records showed that Liās working visa was canceled by the BI in 2023 after an investigation revealed that he acquired his visa upon the petition of a fictitious employer company.
A check with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry reportedly found that the purported firm is non-existent.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there are still a lot of Chinese nationals here in the Philippines using visas that were fraudulently acquired? How many Chinese nationals are living in your local community right now? Are you ready to report the presence of illegal aliens to the local authorities?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In light of the recent apprehension of Chinese nationals who were suspected to be working as spies, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) urged the public to report foreign nationals engaged in illegal espionage here in the Philippines, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldfaceā¦
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday, Feb. 2, urged the public to report foreigners engaged in illegal espionage and other suspicious activities.
āWe are serious in our efforts to stop these undesirable aliens from abusing our hospitality,ā declared BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado in a statement.
Viado aired his plea following the arrest of six suspected Chinese spies who were caught during a series of operations conducted recently by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The alleged spies were earlier identified by as Deng Yuangqing, Cai Shaohuang, Cheng Hai Tao, Wu Cheng Ting, Wang Yong Yi, and Wu Chin Ren.
They have been charged with the non-bailable offense of violations of Commonwealth Act No. 616, the Espionage Act, in relation to Republic Act (RA) No. 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Viado disclosed the BI has been investigating the arrested suspected spies and found that they have been embedded in the Philippines for years.
āSome have been here as early as 2002,ā he said.
āThey have been holding legal statuses, and have lived in the country for a long time before they were found to be doing suspicious activities by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),ā he also said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be a lot of spies from Communist China living here in the Philippines doing secretive espionage work? Do you think the government should announce financial rewards for information that would lead to arrest of foreigners who committed illegal espionage in the country?
Author Carlo Carrasco 