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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Chinese Embassy denies link to Mongolian pilot arrested in Zambales

Chinese Embassy denies link to Mongolian pilot arrested in Zambales

Published Feb 22, 2026 02:33 pm
Canva photos
Canva photos
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has denied that the Mongolian national arrested in Zambales over alleged espionage activities has any affiliation with China.
In a Facebook post, the embassy issued remarks from its deputy spokesperson in response to reports that the arrested foreigner was a jet fighter pilot with suspected ties to the Chinese government.
“To the best of our knowledge, this individual has no affiliation with China,” the embassy said on Sunday, Feb. 22.
It also cautioned against concluding before the facts are fully established.
“Prejudging the matter before the facts are fully ascertained is fundamentally flawed and runs counter to basic principles of objectivity,” it added.
The statement came after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of 30-year-old Mongolian national Boldbaatar Bold-Erdene on Feb. 12 at an aviation school in Barangay Lipay Dingin, Iba, Zambales.
The BI said Boldbaatar was apprehended by its intelligence and special response team with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after being tagged as an undesirable alien who poses risks to public interest and safety.
Authorities alleged that during flight exercises, he conducted aerial photography of Iba Airport and the nearby Palauig River area, about five nautical miles from the airport.
The BI earlier cited intelligence information stating that the foreigner “graduated as a jet fighter pilot with suspected affiliation to the Chinese government.”
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año later said the arrested aviation student is a licensed jet fighter pilot for the Chinese military and allegedly concealed his military background and service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force Aviation University.
Año described the non-disclosure as a serious violation of Philippine immigration laws and said the foreigner’s presence in Zambales, near vital military locations and about 120 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal, raised red flags.
He said data seized from the suspect allegedly contained photos of an airport and land and water systems in Zambales and nearby areas.
The BI said Boldbaatar has been brought to Manila and is detained at the bureau’s warden facility while awaiting deportation proceedings.

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