PNP obtains court nod to examine Chinese 'hacker' devices

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 28, 2024): PNP obtains court nod to examine Chinese 'hacker' devices (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

SEIZED. The firearms and purported hacking equipment seized from a Chinese national by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Makati City on May 29, 2024. An investigation is underway to determine the kind of equipment seized from the suspect, identified as Yuhang Liu. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has 10 days to conduct a forensic examination on the gadgets and other devices seized from a Chinese national who was apprehended in Makati City last month.

This came after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court 90 issued a warrant to examine computer data (WECD) on the equipment seized from Yuhang Liu.

"We have turned over [these equipment] to the ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group), specifically to the digital forensic unit of that office for examination," Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“So the process is after the examination, the ACG will provide us the result. But if 10 days will not suffice, we will apply for additional time for this examination.”

The equipment include three mobile phones, one radio receiver/transmitter, one Huawei router, one Apple tablet, an Honor laptop, an aerial drone, an inverter unit, a computer central processing unit and other computer accessories.

Francisco said the suspect is currently detained at the CIDG - National Capital Region pending a court order on his transfer to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Liu was arrested on May 29 in Barangay San Isidro in response to a gun-toting complaint.

The complainant said Liu coerced him into delivering unidentified communication hacking devices to the suspect's residence.

This equipment would allegedly be placed in vital installations to hack or access mobile phones' international mobile equipment identity.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1227896