NBI escorts Chinese national charged with cybercrime and espionage to DOJ

On Wednesday, April 30, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) escorted a Chinese national named Tak Hoi Lao to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for inquest proceedings following his arrest near the Commission on Elections' main office in Manila.

Tak was charged with misuse of device and illegal interception and system interference under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, as well as espionage under Commonwealth Act No. 616 or the Espionage Act of 941.

The NBI also presented Tak's vehicle to the DOJ as evidence; authorities found an IMSI catcher capable of intercepting mobile communications, three SIM cards, mobile phones, and other gadgets in his car on Sunday, April 29.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that while the charges are bailable, it will be up to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to decide whether temporary liberty should be granted while the case is pending since Tak Hoi Lao is a foreign national.

The Presidential Palace expressed alarm over the arrest amid concerns about China's interference in the upcoming midterm elections; President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has trust in intelligence agents involved and awaits final investigation results.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia assured that no election data or disturbances were detected in their systems following the arrest, while NBI did not rule out the possibility of any gathered data being used to influence the elections.