A Chinese man arrested near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Manila allegedly accessed data from around 5,000 mobile users using spy-grade surveillance equipment, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed on Monday.
According to NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin, the suspect used an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher—an advanced device capable of intercepting mobile numbers, messages, and calls within a range of 500 meters to 3 kilometers.
“Our technical intelligence confirmed that the IMSI catcher was fully operational during the incident,” Lavin said during a Senate hearing. The device reportedly went active around 1:30 p.m. on April 29, harvesting thousands of subscriber identities.
The suspect’s vehicle was tracked in key areas around Metro Manila, including the Supreme Court, Department of Justice, Villamor Air Base, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Comelec.
The NBI is currently pursuing a warrant to examine the data collected by the device and is prioritizing the investigation due to its urgency and potential implications.
The suspect has already undergone inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice.
Comelec Chair George Garcia assured the public that election systems and data remain secure and unaffected by the incident.