PNP investigating alleged China ‘sleeper cells’ in PH

Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said that it is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in investigating the alleged existence of Chinese “sleeper cells” (a secretive group on standby to conduct “infiltration and intervention activities”) in the country. 

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the police force and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are monitoring reports on the alleged sleeper cells. 

“With regards to sleeper cells, there are some accomplishments with other law enforcement units, and the NBI arrested some individuals. This is alarming; we are looking into it, and of course, it is not remote,” Acorda said in a press briefing. 

Likewise, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief  Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Corpus Nartatez Jr. said they have yet to prove the existence of these sleeper cells — purportedly operated mainly by foreigners, particularly Chinese and Taiwanese nationals.  

READ: 11 Chinese and 3 Filipinos nabbed for illegal possession of firearms, gambling — SPD

“Tinitignan lahat ng anggulo and it boils down of course to the personality — anong makikita mo don na denominator are Chinese, Taiwanese or foreign nationals involved in Pogo (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) operations,” Nartatez added. 

(We are looking at all possible angles, but it boils down, of course, to the personalities involved. The common denominator is that they are all foreign nationals — Chinese and Taiwanese involved in Pogo operations.)

Last November 3, the Chinese Embassy denied the existence of these alleged sleeper cells. 

“[We are] working with the Philippine law enforcement authorities to investigate the said case to combat transnational criminal activities jointly. We have also noted that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officer working on this case pointed out that there’s no truth that this is part of the plan of the Chinese to create a destabilization plot in the country,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement.