5 Chinese nationals nabbed for alleged ISR ops in PH

Five Chinese nationals were apprehended by authorities for allegedly conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations within the Philippines.

During the presentation to the media, officials from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) displayed the suspects and the recovered equipment, including drones and high-resolution cameras disguised as CCTV.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that the collected data from the solar-powered cameras was transmitted in real-time, suggesting a connection to previous instances where the movement of Philippine Coast Guard and naval resupply ships was anticipated.

Among the recovered materials were photographs of the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, a key location for the Philippine Navy's Naval Forces West operating near the West Philippine Sea.

The arrested individuals, identified as Cai Shaohuang, Cheng Hai Tao, Wu Cheng Ting, Wang Yong Yi, and Wu Chin Ren, claimed affiliation with civic groups Qiaoxing Volunteer Group of the Philippines and Philippine-China Association of Promotion of Peace and Friendship, Inc., according to NBI Director Jaime Santiago.