Tuguegarao Mayor Maila Ting-Que has denied claims suggesting a surge in Chinese students in the city. She said she is ready to face any investigation. 

According to Ting-Que, the city's education sector is thriving, attracting foreign students, but she denied allegations of over 4,000 Chinese students enrolling in just one university.

“Masama ang loob namin kasi nag-react kami, kasi nagulat kami. If you want to call an investigation, why involve us? Why claim that we sponsored the students themselves? Nakakalungkot kasi bumira kaagad — Chinese student, suspicious activities ang nakalagay,” Ting-Que said.

Ting-Que added that even before the emergence of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in Cagayan Province and the escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese students were already present in the city. 

One university has been accepting foreign students since 2001.

Ting-Que also dismissed espionage concerns, citing the distance between Tuguegarao and the EDCA sites, making it implausible for Chinese students to engage in spying activities.

“If you want to spy on something, you don't have to travel from Tuguegarao to the EDCA sites. They can easily access [it] even if they are not here,” Ting-Que said.

There are also no reported threats to security. According to the Tuguegarao City Police, no Chinese tourist or student has been involved in any altercation or crime.

“Nag-isyu ako ng certification regards with that kasi wala naman talagang incident, dito sa Tuguegarao City, involving Chinese nationals. Not even kahit [a] student o tourist, wala. We have checked on our crime incident reporting,” PLTCOL. Jhonalyn Tecbobolan, Chief of Tuguegarao City Police Station, said.

Meanwhile, the local government refuted claims of Chinese nationals purchasing land in the city. 

“Kung mayroon mang ganyan, ituro sa amin para paalisin natin legally, kung meron, why not di ba?” Ting-Que said.

Ting-Que said the city will take legal action against those spreading false information related to the issue.

Cagayan Representative Joseph Lara earlier called for an investigation after he received reports from his constituents that about 4,600 Chinese students are studying in one university alone.