Photo credit: NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation-Special Task Force (NBI-STF) just made a major bust—five Chinese nationals were caught red-handed gathering intelligence on Philippine naval assets. These individuals weren’t just casually snooping around; they were allegedly conducting aerial surveillance, collecting imagery of sensitive military locations, and potentially jeopardizing national security.

How It All Started

It all traces back to January 17, 2025, when authorities arrested Deng Yuanqing and his local cohorts for violating the Espionage Act. That arrest set off alarm bells, prompting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to dig deeper. They launched surveillance operations to track down possible accomplices, and that’s when they stumbled upon a suspicious group lurking around Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Spying in Plain Sight

At first glance, this group seemed like ordinary buyers scouting for marine products. But something didn’t add up—they were repeatedly spotted in Ulugan Bay, a stone’s throw away from the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay (NDOB), a strategically important base under the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces West (Navforwest). What’s more, they were seen flying drones and capturing footage of military assets, raising serious red flags.

After weeks of careful monitoring, NBI agents finally identified the five Chinese nationals as:

• Cai Shaohuang a.k.a. Richard Tan Chua – Alleged Field Commander
• Cheng Hai Tao a.k.a. Lestrade – Alleged Intelligence Operative
• Wu Cheng Ting a.k.a. Brawn – Alleged Intelligence Operative
• Wang Yong Yi a.k.a. Watson – Alleged PR & Financier
• Wu Chin Ren – Alleged Member

These individuals were reportedly linked to organizations like the Qiaoxing Volunteer Group of the Philippines and the Philippine China Association of Promotion of Peace and Friendship, Inc.

The Arrest and Alarming Evidence

Acting fast, NBI agents launched an operation on January 24-25, 2025, which led to the suspects’ arrests. A deep dive into their mobile devices revealed some chilling evidence:
• Photos of Buliluyan ports, Coast Guard stations, and naval vessels
• Imagery of Philippine Navy’s Del Pilar Class PS 16
• Terrain maps showing Subic Bay International Airport and Naval Operating Base Subic
• Screenshots with Chinese character markings and directional arrows pointing to military bases
• Footage of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels BRP Theresa Magbanua and BRP Gabriela Silang docked at PCG-Maritime Safety Service Unit NCR-Cluster

The five suspects were immediately taken to the NBI main office for standard booking procedures. They have since undergone inquest proceedings before the Office of the State Prosecutor, Department of Justice, for violating Commonwealth Act No. 616 (Espionage) and R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).

What Happens Next?

This case raises serious concerns about foreign espionage activities in the country, especially in critical areas near the West Philippine Sea. Authorities are now digging deeper into whether this was an isolated operation or part of a larger network.
One thing is clear—this isn’t just a case of unauthorized drone flying. It’s a full-blown national security breach, and the Philippine government is taking it very seriously.