NBI arrests espionage suspects involved in unauthorized surveillance near military and police facilities in Metro Manila.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has apprehended five individuals accused of espionage targeting military and police camps in the National Capital Region (NCR).
NBI Director Jaime Santiago identified the suspects as Omar Khan Kashim Joveres, Leo Panti, and Mark Angelo Binza, along with two Chinese nationals, Ni Qinhu and Zheng Wei.
The arrest followed a report from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) about a vehicle equipped with unauthorized International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers.
The vehicle was frequently seen passing through military and Philippine National Police (PNP) camps, as well as other government facilities in Metro Manila.
Authorities seized an unauthorized base station from the suspects, which mimics a legitimate cell tower to access mobile network communications.
The device was allegedly used for surveillance, intercepting communications, disrupting networks, and extracting data.
The suspects have been charged with violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Espionage Law.