The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested five individuals, including two Chinese nationals, for alleged espionage activities in Manila.
The suspects were identified as Ni Qinhui, his wife Zheng Wei, Omar Khan Kashim Joveres, Leo Laraya Panti, and Mark Angelo Boholst Binza. Their arrests followed an investigation by the NBI Cybercrime Division and Special Task Force after reports of vehicles using International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers near military and police installations in Metro Manila.
Authorities detected unauthorized base stations (BTS) and illegal transmissions in key areas, including Villamor Airbase, Camp Aguinaldo, Malacañang, Camp Crame, and the U.S. Embassy. Following surveillance, three of the suspects—Joveres, Panti, and Binza—were apprehended on February 20, admitting they were paid to drive through these areas.
NBI agents later arrested Ni and Zheng at their condominium in Malate, where multiple IMSI catchers were found. Zheng admitted that her husband owned the equipment and had employed the three other suspects.
The five were presented for inquest at the Department of Justice for violations under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and Commonwealth Act No. 616.
