PNP files raps vs. gun-toting Chinese caught with hacking devices

Photos screengrabbed via PTV News

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has filed charges against the Chinese national who was caught with firearms and hacking equipment in Makati City.

“Sa ngayon ay kasalukuyan na for inquest proceedings yung ating arrested suspect sa Makati (Prosecutor’s Office), then yung finile nating complaint are yung Republic Act (RA) 10591, (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) then yung RA 8484 (Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998) and then grave threat dahil yung complainant tinakot niya rin (He is now undergoing inquest proceedings at the Makati Prosecutor’s Office, then we filed complaints of violation of RA 10591 and then RA 8484 and then grave threat because he coerced the complainant),” CIDG spokesperson Lt. Col. Imelda Reyes said in a press briefing at Camp Crame Friday.

She said the suspect Yuhang Liu refused to give any statements but was provided with a lawyer.

Liu was arrested on Finlandia corner Codornico streets in Barangay San Isidro, Makati on Wednesday, in response to a gun-toting complaint.

The complainant said Liu coerced him into delivering unidentified communication hacking devices to the suspect’s residence.

This equipment would allegedly be placed in vital installations to hack or access mobile phones’ international mobile equipment identity (IMEI).

During the search of the suspect’s vehicle, law enforcers discovered several firearms and ammunition, a multi-band directional antenna system, battery units, a solar inverter, a radio receiver/transmitter, a Huawei router, an Apple tablet, mobile phones, and some cash.

A subsequent raid on the suspect’s house yielded an inverter unit, aerial drone, computer keyboard, CPU units, portable power supply hubs, several IDs, and cash.

Reyes said they have requested assistance from the National Telecommunications Commission to determine the kind of devices seized from the suspect.

She said they also tapped the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate how these devices were used.

“Maghihintay pa tayo ng resolution ng result ng pag-file natin. We are also waiting for the results of the investigation by other agencies regarding these devices,” she said.

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