Arrested Mongolian in Zambales linked to Chinese military — NSA Año

National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said the Mongolian national who was arrested in Zambales recently is linked to the People’s Liberation Army of China.

“The said foreign national who enrolled as an aviation student concealed his military background and service with the People’s Liberation Army, especially his jet fighter license from the PLA Air Force Aviation University,” Año said in a statement.

“Such non-disclosure constitutes a serious violation of Philippine immigration laws. Moreover, his presence and actions in Zambales near vital military locations are clearly inconsistent with his purpose of stay in the country,” he added.

On February 15, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that the 30-year-old male foreigner was apprehended by the agency and the military at an aviation school in Iba town on February 12.

He was arrested after the BI tagged him as an undesirable alien for posing a risk to public interest and safety.

The foreigner, who was reportedly a graduating student of the aviation school, allegedly took aerial photos of the Iba airport and the nearby Palauig River area, approximately five nautical miles from the airport.

Año said “the government assures the public that we will continue to strengthen coordination among intelligence, immigration, aviation, and law enforcement agencies to detect, deter and respond decisively to any threat to our national security.” — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News