The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a Chinese national in Intramuros, Manila, near the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office, after allegedly finding spy equipment in his possession.
RH Boy Gonzales reported that the suspect had been under surveillance for some time and was intercepted by NBI agents after his vehicle was observed loitering near the COMELEC premises.
JUST IN: Isang Chinese national na mayroong mga spy equipment sa loob ng kaniyang sasakyan, inaresto ng NBI malapit sa opisina ng @COMELEC sa Intramuros, Manila | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/kDkn2vEyZ5
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 29, 2025
When authorities opened the back of the vehicle, they discovered a device known as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher, equipment considered a threat to national security.
NBI Deputy Director Atty. Ferdinand Lavin stated that the equipment can capture data from active mobile devices within a distance of 500 meters to 3 kilometers.
Moreover, NBI agents initially tracked the vehicle equipped with spy devices in Makati before it was intercepted in Intramuros.
Authorities have yet to determine what data, if any, was obtained while the suspect’s vehicle was observed loitering near the COMELEC office.
UPDATE: Unang namanman ng NBI ang sasakyan na may mga spy equipment sa bahagi ng Makati at naharang sa bahagi ng Intramuros, Manila.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) April 29, 2025
Nakumpiska sa naturang sasakyan ng Chinese ang isang IMSI-catcher na kaya umanong higupin lahat ng messaging o impormasyon mula sa lahat ng… pic.twitter.com/pRw5r5EPB0
