The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has taken legal action against Yuhang Liu, a Chinese national suspected of espionage, charging him with violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Liu was apprehended in Makati City in May, following a tip-off about his possession of hacking devices used to compromise mobile phone identities.
CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III announced the filing of these charges at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office. The arrest occurred on Finlandia Street corner Codornico Street in Barangay San Isidro, Makati City, after a complainant reported being coerced into delivering hacking equipment to Liu’s residence. These devices were allegedly intended for use in critical installations to intercept mobile phone data.
During the arrest, authorities found Liu carrying a handgun, which he could not legally justify possessing. A search of his vehicle uncovered multiple firearms, ammunition, a multi-band directional antenna system, battery units, a solar inverter, a radio receiver/transmitter, a Huawei router, an Apple tablet, mobile phones, and cash. A follow-up raid on his home revealed additional items including an inverter unit, an aerial drone, computer components, portable power supplies, various IDs, and more cash.
Torre emphasized the CIDG’s commitment to combating cybercrimes, supported by affidavits from the complainant and witnesses, which facilitated the filing of charges for illegal interception and misuse of devices. Liu is currently detained at the Bureau of Immigration’s facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.