Philippine law enforcement authorities announced on January 20 that they had arrested a Chinese national suspected of engaging in espionage activities last Friday, January 17. They also seized advanced equipment from him that could be used for monitoring military facilities. The Philippine authorities are investigating whether the activities of this individual had the approval of the Chinese authorities.
The Chinese national was identified as Deng Yuanqing, a graduate of the People’s Liberation Army Engineering University in China. Two Filipino counterparts of his were also apprehended.
During a press conference, Jeremy Lotoc, head of the Cybercrime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines, revealed that Deng Yuanqing was an expert in control engineering. Investigators found advanced sensors in Deng’s vehicle capable of creating 3D maps without entering buildings, including military camps, power plants, government offices, and shopping centers. The equipment utilized GNSS RTK (Global Navigation Satellite System Real-Time Kinematics) technology commonly used for precise mapping, navigation, artillery targeting, and supply chain management.
By tracking the activities of these three suspects through covert GPS devices installed in their vehicles, Philippine authorities discovered their presence near sensitive locations, transmitting real-time data to overseas locations. Preliminary forensic investigation suggests that the data was being sent to China.
Initial surveillance was conducted on Luzon Island, with Visayas and Mindanao Islands being subsequent targets.
Lotoc stated, “We found data collection equipment that provides precise coordinates and terrain details essential for military targeting or drone operations.”
Philippine Armed Forces chief Romero Brawner Jr explained that the targeted locations of Deng Yuanqing and his associates included military camps and bases used by the US military in the Philippines, locations where “coordinates and terrain are likely to be utilized for military purposes.”
Jaime Santiago, director of the National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines, confirmed that Deng Yuanqing was part of an organization tracked by Philippine authorities.
Santiago stated, “In December of last year, the Philippine Navy Intelligence Department provided us with information about a Chinese group monitoring activities within our territory.”
This information was forwarded to the Minister of Justice, who held a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces to discuss tracking these individuals.
Lotoc disclosed that investigators found deposits ranging from 1.5 million to 12 million Philippine pesos per week made by these individuals to various “shell companies” through several confiscated phones, equivalent to approximately 26,000 to 200,000 US dollars.
“We are trying to determine the scale of this organization, who is behind it, and whether this is state-supported or an organized crime group,” Lotoc said.
Based on information from a copy of Deng Yuanqing’s passport, he has been residing in the Philippines for five years, having “blended into the local community,” leading authorities to describe him as a “sleeper (agent).”
The National Bureau of Investigation in the Philippines has charged Deng Yuanqing and his two Filipino counterparts under the Espionage Act, which stipulates that they are not eligible for bail.