Suspicion of espionage has arisen in the Philippines regarding a Mongolian citizen who was training to be a fighter pilot at the Chinese People's Liberation Army Academy. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
Raffy Tima reported on the program "24 Oras" that the issue of deporting the Mongolian citizen detained in Iba is already under consideration.
Last week, a Mongolian citizen who was undergoing training at an aviation school was arrested as a result of an operation by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated: "We have information about several aerial photographs taken in the Zambales area. This region has issues with disputed territories between China and the Philippines, and such actions may indicate espionage."
According to information obtained from the Philippine Federal Police, the alleged spy from Mongolia may have connections with the Chinese government.
Eduardo Año, the national security advisor, added that he also completed a training course on jet fighters at the Aviation University of the PLA Air Force.
Following this incident, the police plan to strengthen security measures and monitor foreign citizens who may be involved in espionage activities.
The arrested Mongolian citizen is currently being held in the Bureau of Immigration detention center, where he denies all charges.
Sandoval also noted that "we want to find out whether he acted alone or if he has accomplices engaged in similar activities."
During hearings in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, issues concerning the agencies responsible for vetting foreign students were discussed.
The Commission on Higher Education confirmed the existence of an inter-agency committee that handles application vetting.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also noted that there are citizens from countries subject to restrictions but who have undergone thorough vetting, such as from China and India.
At the same time, the DFA acknowledged the existence of such restrictions.
Deputy Foreign Minister Leo Herrera-Lim noted that "in this particular case, Mongolia is not subject to any restrictions."
Last year, the Bureau of Immigration and the Armed Forces of the Philippines detained six Chinese citizens on suspicion of espionage, among whom was a person arrested with a tracking device near the office of the Commission on Elections.
The Bureau of Immigration urges citizens to report any suspicious activities of foreign nationals on Philippine territory.
