Chinese envoy invited to Senate probe on wiretapping of military official

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate Committee on National Defense will investigate today, Wednesday, on the reported wiretapping of a Philippine military official by a Chinese diplomat in violation of Republic Act 4200 or anti-wiretapping law.

Sen. Jose Estrada, Committee on National Defense and Security chairman, on Tuesday said he sent an invitation to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian to attend the inquiry.

However, Estrada said he was not sure whether Huang will attend. The embassy did not reply to media inquiries whether Huang will attend the inquiry sought by Sen. Francis Tolentino.

«We have invited the Chinese ambassador but I'm still waiting for his response. I have to check with the Comsec (committee secretariat),» Estrada said.

«I will let the Senator Tol (Tolentino) who filed the resolution [to conduct the probe] to ask questions to the stakeholders,» Estrada added.

The controversy arose from the alleged wiretapping of then Armed Forces Western Command chief Alberto Carlos by an unidentified Chinese diplomat where they supposedly discussed a «new model» to manage Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal to de-escalate tensions in the area.