NBI arrests chinese national and two filipinos for illegal surveillance activities

The operation was carried out by the NBI’s Special Task Force (STF) and Cybercrime Division (CCD), following intelligence provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Naval Operatives (AFP-NO).

The investigation began in December 2024, when the AFP-NO alerted the NBI about a group of Chinese nationals operating under the guise of developing autonomous vehicles, but allegedly engaged in surveillance operations.

The group was accused of using advanced technology to gather and disclose sensitive national defense information without the necessary government permits. The NBI was quick to act on this report, validating the information and identifying the key figures involved.

According to the NBI, the group was led by Deng Yuanqing, a software engineer with affiliations to the People’s Liberation Army University of Science and Technology (PLAUST) in China. PLAUST, based in Nanjing, is a prestigious research institution run by the Chinese military. The group also included two unnamed hardware engineers and a female financier, Wang, who was responsible for organizing the logistics of the operation.

The NBI operatives discovered that from December 13, 2024, to January 16, 2025, the group used a white vehicle equipped with sophisticated ICT equipment to conduct extensive surveillance activities in various regions of Luzon, including the National Capital Region.

The vehicle was observed mapping out terrain, photographing critical infrastructure, and gathering intelligence on potential targets, all without the consent of the Philippine government.

The NBI’s enforcement action culminated on January 17, 2025, when operatives spotted the vehicle in Makati City. The vehicle was occupied by Deng Yuanqing, who was working on the equipment, along with Ronel Jojo Balundo Besa and Jayson Amado Fernandez, the two Filipino nationals assisting him.

When questioned, Deng attempted to flee and hide a storage device containing sensitive data. This prompted the NBI to arrest all three individuals.

During a search of the vehicle, investigators uncovered topographic footage and mapping data, confirming the group’s intent to gather critical information on national defense infrastructure.

The ICT equipment also contained programs designed to remotely control the vehicle’s systems, including its camera and files. A forensic examination revealed a Chinese user account with a device ID that was actively controlling the vehicle’s systems, reinforcing suspicions of espionage.

The three suspects were charged with violating Commonwealth Act No. 616, which criminalizes espionage, and Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The NBI highlighted that the group’s actions were clear violations of the law, as they were gathering and disclosing national defense information without the proper authorization.

The agency stressed the severity of these espionage activities, highlighting that national security is paramount and must be protected from unauthorized foreign surveillance.

As the investigation continues, the NBI’s swift response demonstrates the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the country against covert operations that threaten its sovereignty and security.

All three suspects were brought to the NBI’s main office, where they were informed of their constitutional rights. They were subsequently presented for inquest proceedings before the Office of the State Prosecutor, Department of Justice.