Student pilot arrested for undisclosed China military ties
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales—A Mongolian student at a flying school in this province was arrested for alleged immigration violations, including failure to disclose his past military service and aviation training in China, authorities reported on Saturday.
The student also allegedly engaged in activities inconsistent with his purpose for applying for a Philippine visa and study permit, such as taking aerial photos of the town nearest to a shoal in the West Philippine Sea where the country’s maritime dispute with China has played out for years.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) identified the foreign national as Bold-Erdene Boldbaatar, 30, who was enrolled at a local aviation school in the capital town of Iba.
Boldbaatar was arrested early Thursday at his residence in Barangay Lipay-Dingin-Panibuatan during a joint interagency operation led by the BI Intelligence Division-Special Response Team. The operation was supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency in Central Luzon.
Boldbaatar was apprehended for violating the Philippine Immigration Act, according to the BI.
He allegedly failed to disclose information about his prior military service and fighter aviation training when he applied for his visa and special study permit.
Authorities said this ommission was tantamount to misrepresentation and fraudulent procurement of immigration benefits.
BI officials added that his immigration status was no longer valid at the time of his arrest.
Aerial photos
Investigators said Boldbaatar graduated from the University of Mongolia and the Civil Aviation University of China, formerly known as the Northeast China Democratic United Army Aviation School.
He was said to have obtained a license as a jet fighter pilot from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force Aviation University.
Intelligence sources also said he previously served as a soldier, with fighter aircraft experience.
Authorities raised concerns about his presence in Zambales, noting its proximity to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, or Bajo de Masinloc, in the West Philippine Sea. The shoal has been under Chinese control since 2012.
During solo flight exercises, Boldbaatar allegedly took aerial photographs of Iba Airport and the Palauig River area.
Palauig town is the Philippine municipality closest to the shoal, located 139 kilometers to 148 kilometers (75 to 80 nautical miles) from its coast.
Boldbaatar’s case was not the first time that Philippine authorities arrested foreign nationals for suspected espionage operations for China.
Last year alone saw at least four separate arrests involving 10 Chinese nationals in Palawan, Cavite and Metro Manila.
One of them was arrested near the Commission on Elections headquarters in Manila, prompting Malacañang to issue a statement expressing alarm and calling the case a matter of national security.
