Malacañang investigates donations from alleged Chinese spies to Tarlac city and police forces

Malacañang will investigate reported donations made by alleged Chinese spies to two police forces and Tarlac city, Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said on Monday.

Castro emphasized the need to determine if these donations were made in good faith, especially considering recent reports about alleged espionage activities involving Chinese nationals.

The incident involves four Chinese nationals accused of espionage who donated cash and vehicles to Tarlac city and two police forces as leaders of socio-civic groups affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.

Manila's local government confirmed receiving 0 motorcycles from Wang Yongyi, a member of Qiaoxing Volunteer Group, who was among those arrested for suspected espionage activities last month.

Castro also recalled that during the pandemic, Davao City accepted medical supplies from China, stressing the importance of investigating such donations thoroughly.

Malacañang has found no immediate fault with the Philippine National Police (PNP) accepting donations from recently detained individuals suspected of being Chinese spies, but insists further scrutiny is necessary to ensure there are no ulterior motives behind these gifts.

Authorities have stated that this exposé will prompt closer scrutiny of foreign socio-civic groups' activities in the country.