Manila: Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Tuesday a Chinese national in possession of electronic eavesdropping equipment near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) building in Intramuros, Manila. NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin identified the foreigner as Tak Hoi Lao, as stated in his Macao passport.

According to Philippines News Agency, the suspect was found with a gray Mitsubishi Adventure containing electronic equipment behind the back seat, cooled by a makeshift fan to prevent overheating. The device was identified as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher, capable of intercepting mobile phone communications and tracking location data from other gadgets.

In an interview, Lavin stated that investigators are gathering evidence and that the suspect may be brought for inquest "before the close of office hours" on Wednesday. The NBI is considering filing charges for violation of the Anti-Espionage Act in relation to the Anti-Cybercrime Law against the suspect. The foreign national claimed in broken English that he was merely a tourist and that the vehicle belonged to someone else.

In a separate development, NBI Director Jaime Santiago urged the public to remain vigilant against fake news and 'rage bait' on social media. Santiago explained that rage bait are social media posts designed to stir anger, leading to increased engagement and reactions that further promote the content.

He advised people to be aware of rage bait and to remain calm before engaging with such posts to avoid amplifying them through social media algorithms. Santiago emphasized the importance of relying on trustworthy media outlets and content creators for accurate information and distinguished between primary and secondary sources. He encouraged everyone to fact-check information on social media and verify the credibility of authors before believing or sharing any posts.