PNP allowed to conduct digital test on gadgets seized from Chinese
A MAKATI court has authorized cyber-crime investigators of the PNP to conduct a “forensic digital examination” on the hi-tech and military-grade devices recovered from a Chinese citizen arrested last month.
In his order, Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano said he was convinced that “there is probable cause to believe that violations of Section 4 (a) (2) (Illegal Interception), also known as Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, have been committed, are being committed, or are about to be committed” by the suspect identified as Yuhang Liu.
The warrant to disclose computer data directed the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to conduct forensic digital examination on one IPhone 15, one unit antenna system multiband directional unit, two pieces battery unit, one unit of solar inverter, one unit radio receiver/transmitter, one unit each of Huawei router and Apple tablet, an Honor laptop, two more cellphones, an aerial drone and an inverter unit, a computer central processing unit, and a 220 volts portable power station.
The court also directed the PNP-CIDG to “retain and utilize the seized and examined computer data, including the result of the onsite and offsite computer forensic examination” in the investigation and subsequent filing of charges against the Chinese and his cohorts.
Yuhang was apprehended by the authorities in Barangay San Isidro, Makati City last month.
The arrest stemmed from a complainant’s call who said the Chinese coerced him into delivering communication hacking devices to the suspect’s residence.
The communication equipment allegedly would be installed in vital installations to hack mobile phones’ international mobile equipment identity.
Also seized from the suspect were several firearms and ammunition.
The arrest of Yuhang came as authorities raised the alarm on possible Chinese spying in the country amid the continuing tension between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea.
It also came after several offshore gaming sites in the country were raided by the authorities, resulting into the arrest of foreigners, mostly Chinese.
