Julia Christine Botin

Tarlac gives accounting of cash, motorcycle donations by suspected Chinese spies

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741233898555filchi donation 1.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Tarlac LGU clarifies donations from alleged Chinese spies were received in good faith, without conditions. Contributed photos </span></span></span><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741233938015filchi donation 2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Tarlac LGU clarifies donations from alleged Chinese spies were received in good faith, without conditions. Contributed photos </span></span></span>Cash and other donations made by Chinese Communist Party-affiliated groups led by four Chinese nationals accused of espionage went to the Department of Education and police while some of the funds remain unutilized, the Tarlac City government said Thursday.</div><p>A Reuters report earlier said the 4 Chinese men made the donations to the city of Tarlac and to the police forces via the Chinese-backed groups in 2022 and continued to host officials at events through 2024.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/3/palace-to-probe-alleged-chinese-spies-donations-1506" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palace to probe alleged Chinese spies’ donations</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/3/manila-lgu-confirms-donation-of-motorbikes-from-alleged-chinese-spies-1134" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Manila gov&#x27;t confirms donation of motorbikes from alleged Chinese spies, denies further encounters with donor</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/3/nbi-says-donations-from-alleged-chinese-spies-are-part-of-infiltration-scheme-1739" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NBI says donations from alleged Chinese spies are part of &#x27;infiltration scheme&#x27;</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4lJEbRumjr8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Tarlac is home to major military bases, including one used by the Philippines and the United States for live-fire exercises during annual military drills.</p><p> In a statement, the Tarlac city government said the donations in question were made by the local Filipino-Chinese business community, “a longstanding partner in our civic and charitable initiatives, in cooperation with the Qiaoxing Volunteer Group - Philippines, which identifies itself as a Filipino-Chinese charitable association.”</p><p>“These contributions were accepted in good faith by the recipients thereof with the sincere intention of enhancing public service and no conditions or obligations were attached to them,” it said.</p><p>The city government denied receiving, managing or distributing a P500,000 cash donation, saying the Filipino-Chinese group only donated P200,000 to the city government for various programs.</p><p>“The same has so far been unutilized after having been deposited in the City coffers on September 18, 2023. The said donation was accepted by virtue of SP Resolution No. IX-33-486,” it said.</p><p>“Furthermore it must be emphasized that these donations, given their insignificant amount, in no way influenced our decision making process in governance nor led to any substantial collaboration thereafter.”</p><p>It said another P100,000 was donated to the Department of Education-Tarlac City District, which was used to procure dental kits for 606 Kindergarten learners across 19 schools.</p><p>A donation of 15 motorcycles were allocated as follows: 5 to the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Tarlac Province, 5  to the Philippine National Police – Tarlac City and 5 to the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).</p><p>Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier said there was nothing wrong with accepting donations if they are done in good faith. “However, if these donations were given with ulterior motives, then we need to investigate,&quot; she said.</p><p>China&#x27;s foreign ministry, in a statement to Reuters, said China required its citizens to abide by local laws and that civic groups spontaneously set up by citizens were not affiliated with the Beijing government.</p><p>The Philippines has arrested at least eight suspected Chinese spies in recent weeks, including the four, adding to frictions between the two nations who have had a series of run-ins over disputed parts of the South China Sea. <strong>With a report by Reuters</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-aErSwb2phc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Cash and other donations made by Chinese Communist Party-affiliated groups led by four Chinese nationals accused of espionage went to the Department of Education and police while some of the funds remain unutilized, the Tarlac City government said Thursday.</p>

Cash and other donations made by Chinese Communist Party-affiliated groups led by four Chinese nationals accused of espionage went to the Department of Education and police while some of the funds remain unutilized, the Tarlac City government said Thursday.