Año investigating if some Chinese PLA members are in country

March 6, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said they are also investigating reports some Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) personnel are here in the country.

In a radio interview, Año said their investigation started following the arrest of two Chinese suspects in Makati City. Recovered from them were firearms and PLA IDs.

Año said they are validating the identification cards confiscated and if this information has an effect on national security.

“We are already investigating it… we are checking if the PLA IDs are real and if theinformation is a threat to the national security,” he said.

The interior secretary said they are coordinating with the Chinese embassy.

During a senate inquiry, Senator Panfilo Lacson reportedly said 2,000 to 3,000 Chinese soldiers entered the country as tourists or as workers in Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

On Thursday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they are validating these reports.

"We are in the process of validating the report of Sen. Lacson that being a matter of serious concern," said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., in a statement.

"I have my staff for intelligence to confirm reports in coordination with other relevant agencies of goverment," he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS