Chinese na nahuli ng NBI na may dalang IMSI catcher, naka-access umano ng 5K subscriber identities

- The Chinese national who was arrested by the NBI near the Comelec with an IMSI catcher allegedly was able to access 5,000 mobile subscriber identities

- NBI said that the device that the arrested Chinese national possessed was found capable of intercepting calls, texts, and location data

- The bureau has already filed espionage and cybercrime charges against the said Chinese national

- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for his part, said that the incident raises concerns amid reports of potential election interference

The Chinese national arrested recently by the NBI near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Manila, Philippines, who was found with an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher was allegedly able to access around 5,000 mobile subscriber identities.

The said Chinese national is in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and was arrested for allegedly operating a surveillance device.

Tak Hoi Lao, a 47-year-old Chinese national, who holds a passport issued by Macau, was arrested last Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Lao was found in possession of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher, an electronic device capable of mimicking a cell tower to intercept mobile phone communications, including text messages, and track location data.

NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin stated that the IMSI catcher, found inside a gray Mitsubishi Adventure, had a range of 500 meters to 3 kilometers and was confirmed to be in full operation.

Lavin revealed that the device had already accessed approximately 5,000 mobile subscriber identities around the time of the arrest.

He also noted that Lao had visited the Comelec office three times and had also been near the Supreme Court, Department of Justice, and the US Embassy.

The NBI has filed charges against Lao for misuse of device, illegal interception, and system interference under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, as well as espionage under the Espionage Act.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla indicated that while the charges are bailable, the Bureau of Immigration will determine if Lao will be granted temporary liberty, considering his foreign national status.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is reportedly monitoring the investigation closely, with his communications team describing the incident as “quite alarming” and a matter of national security.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia assured the public that no election data had been compromised, stating that the commission’s main database is located elsewhere.

However, concerns remain regarding the potential for espionage and data theft, with authorities working to analyze the data obtained from the IMSI catcher.

The arrest has heightened existing tensions between the Philippines and China. Recent reports have surfaced regarding alleged Chinese attempts to interfere in the upcoming Philippine midterm elections.

In February 2025, two Chinese nationals were detained for using an IMSI catcher near sensitive government and military locations in Manila.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, one of the fatalities in the NAIA Terminal 1 incident, Dearick Keo Faustino, was finally brought home. His beloved dog, Blue, refuses to leave his coffin, symbolizing their unbreakable bond even after death, GMA News reported. Dearick, 29, was the primary provider for his family and was supporting his siblings’ education, but was one of those who died in the fatal NAIA 1 incident, ABS-CBN noted. The Faustino family is calling for accountability, questioning the lack of immediate medical assistance at the crash site. Dearick was on his way to a work trip to Dubai when the fatal crash occurred—just weeks before his 30th birthday.

Meanwhile, the driver involved in the fatal NAIA crash has faced inquest proceedings, as confirmed by NAIA Police Station 1. He is charged with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of h&micide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property, according to ABS-CBN News. The incident led to the deaths of two individuals and left several others injured after the SUV plowed into pedestrians and vehicles. Authorities continue to investigate the crash, while victims’ families demand accountability and justice.

Source: KAMI.com.gh