PNP probing claim that China spying on Philippines through POGOs

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the allegation of Senator Richard Gordon that China has been spying on the Philippines through the use of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), its spokesman said on Monday.

"Isa na rin sa tinitingnan ng PNP ngayon dahil na rin sa pagdami ng mga Chinese nationals na nagtratrabaho sa mga POGOs ay dumami rin ang bilang ng krimen na kinauugnayan ng mga Chinese nationals. Patuloy 'yan na tinitingnan ng PNP," Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said in an ambush interview.

According to Banac, there is no proof yet that members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have infiltrated the POGOs in the country for the purpose of gathering intelligence information.

For his part, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said any violation of the country’s laws would not be tolerated. 

"We have to wait for the result of the investigation," Panelo told reporters. "Anything that goes against the interest of this country is a cause concern of this government and for that matter any government."

Gordon's speculation came after a shooting incident in Makati City last week which involved some Chinese nationals. Authorities have obtained some Chinese military identification cards from the nabbed suspects.

Makati City police chief Police Colonel Rogelio Simon, however, clarified that the IDs do not belong to the suspects. He said the matter would be coordinated with the Chinese police attaché in Makati City.

Southern Police District chief Police Colonel Emmanuel Peralta said investigators are mainly eyeing robbery as the motive of the crime, however, they are not discounting the possibility that it could be POGO-related. — with Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News