MANILA — The alleged Chinese spy who was arrested near the Commission on Elections headquarters underwent inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice on Wednesday.

Escorted by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Chinese underwent inquest for espionage in violation of the Espionage Act of 1941 as well as misuse of devices and illegal interception and system interference in violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The NBI also brought to the DOJ the vehicle used by the alleged spy.

NBI: Alleged Chinese spy may be intercepting data to and from Comelec office

PALACE EXPRESSES ALARM

Meanwhile, Malacanang expressed alarm over the recent arrest of the alleged Chinese spy.

The NBI said the Chinese national 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. 

Authorities believe the suspect could have been intercepting data to and from Comelec.

“It’s quite alarming,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said when asked for a reaction.

The Philippine government will launch a thorough investigation into the matter, the official said.

“The President has this trust on the intelligence agents that need the operation. So, we will just have to wait for the final investigation on that matter,” she said.

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