Shocking Increase of Chinese Students in Cagayan, Philippines Raises National Security Concerns
Philippine lawmakers expressed astonishment at the surge of Chinese students in Cagayan province, calling it a “silent invasion” that could jeopardize national security. The Armed Forces of the Philippines vowed on Tuesday (April 16) to investigate this phenomenon. Cagayan province is located at the northern tip of Luzon Island, facing Taiwan.
According to the Philippines Star, more than 4,600 Chinese students are enrolled in a private university in Cagayan and renting accommodations in various locations in Tuguegarao.
Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), stated that the military will coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on this matter.
Padilla told journalists at a press conference on Tuesday, “The AFP takes this matter seriously, so we are looking into it, but in terms of peace and order issues, this falls under the responsibility of the Philippine National Police.”
“We will closely collaborate with them on this matter, and the investigation will be led by them, and if they request assistance from the AFP, we will provide it accordingly,” she said.
Tensions between China and the Philippines over sovereignty in the South China Sea have escalated, prompting Philippine President Marcos to actively seek security protection from the United States.
Last year, the Philippines agreed to the U.S.’s request to increase the number of EDCA bases from 5 to 9 under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Two of these bases are located closer to Taiwan in Cagayan province, namely the Camilo Osias Naval Base and Lal-lo Airport. These strategic locations would assist the U.S. in countering any amphibious invasion by China against Taiwan in the event of a conflict erupting in the Taiwan Strait.
Furthermore, the increased access to bases in the Philippines by the U.S. has bolstered the defense capabilities of the Philippines.
Experts have warned that the presence of Chinese students near an EDCA base poses a potential security threat amidst China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), as reported by The Manila Times.
The significant increase in Chinese citizens in Cagayan province has raised concerns for Joseph “Joao” Lara, the representative of the province’s third district. Lara initiated a resolution calling for an investigation into the matter, citing potential risks to national security.
To delve deeper into the activities of Chinese citizens in Cagayan, Representative Lara has coordinated with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to further examine national security issues.
In a resolution submitted on March 20, Lara and Faustino Dy V, the representative of Isabela’s sixth district, stated that “the soaring number of Chinese citizens entering Cagayan for university studies is alarming.”
They emphasized that this poses risks to the national security and economy of the Philippines, especially since these foreigners are involved in “deceptive schemes.”
Robert Ace Barbers, the representative of the second district of Surigao del Norte, expressed shock at the influx of Chinese workers, businessmen, tourists, and students into the Philippines, declaring that the “silent invasion has begun.”
Barbers voiced concerns about the seemingly inexplicable and perplexing presence of these individuals in the country. He questioned how such a large number of people could not raise suspicions within any institution unless the officials were blinded by money or grossly incompetent and ignorant.
Barbers also referenced a previous case where a Chinese citizen successfully became an auxiliary member of the Philippine Coast Guard. Last month, a senior official of the Coast Guard revealed that there were 36 Chinese citizens on the active civilian volunteer roster of the auxiliary force, who had been on the list for two years before being removed.
In Manila, a military general, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed similar concerns during an interview with This Week in Asia, a program by the South China Morning Post.
The general disclosed that their headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo is surrounded by Chinese citizens residing in apartments.
Chester Cabalza, founder of the International Development and Security Cooperation Organization and defense analyst, told This Week in Asia that while Cagayan has been accustomed to the presence of Filipino-Chinese individuals, many of whom are politicians and businessmen, the influx of Chinese citizens is worth noting considering the province’s geopolitical significance in the current Taiwan Strait security situation.
Cabalza believes that the new wave of Chinese arrivals being “wealthy students and businessmen” is suspicious, given that they arrived in the province amidst the tense geopolitical situation in the Taiwan Strait and the rotation of U.S. soldiers stationed in the northern part of Luzon Island.
In response to calls for legislative inquiry, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, known for his pro-China stance, stated that foreign students in Tuguegarao do not pose a security threat.
“The presence of Chinese students in Cagayan and nationwide is a result of agreements between Chinese language learning institutions and the Commission on Higher Education,” he said.