Suspected Chinese spies not entitled to bail — DOJ

Suspected Chinese spies who have been arrested in the country are not entitled to bail, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Wednesday, April 30.

“Kung foreigner kasi s’yempre may violation ng Immigration Law then it becomes non-bailable na case (Once a foreigner violates the country’s Immigration Law then it becomes a non-bailable case),” Remulla said.

The issue on bail was pointed out by Remulla following the arrest last April 29 of a suspected Chinese spy who was nabbed inside his vehicle equipped with an international mobile subscriber identity (MSI) catcher than can intercept messages from cellular phones.

The arrested suspect was identified as Tak Hoi Lao who was nabbed near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila.

With the arrest of Tak, there are now at least 15 suspected Chinese spies apprehended by law enforcers this year.

Charges of misuse of devices in violation of Republic Act (RA) 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; illegal interception and system interference in violation of RA 10175; and espionage under Commonwealth Act No. 616 or the Espionage Act of 1941, as amended, in relation to RA 10175 are expected to be filed against Tak.