In Philippines, police inquiry finds no evidence of Huawei spying for Beijing

The Philippine National Police’s conclusion comes as the US blacklists the telecommunications firm on national security grounds

Manila has largely welcomed Huawei since Duterte took office in 2016 while pledging to cultivate closer relations with Beijing

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Experts say the Philippine National Police’s findings will come as a major boost to Huawei’s image in the region. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:10pm, 21 May 2019Updated: 8:51am, 19 Dec 2019

Philippine authorities on Tuesday said there was no evidence Huawei engages in spying for Beijing, based on the initial results of an inquiry into espionage allegations against the Chinese telecommunications giant.

The preliminary findings by the Philippine National Police (PNP) came after the agency launched an investigation into spying claims last month, as the United States ramped up pressure on its allies to sever ties with the beleaguered firm.

As of now we do not see evidence that will prove Huawei is engaged in spying activities

Philippine National Police spokesperson Bernard Banac

The vote of confidence for Huawei also follows the Monday announcement by Washington of a 90-day reprieve from the Trump administration’s effective ban on the firm buying US technology and components.

The US issued a licence allowing American companies to keep doing business with Huawei for the next three months, seeking to limit the effects of its previously announced export restrictions on the Chinese firm.

In the Philippines, PNP spokesperson Bernard Banac on Tuesday said the inquiry, which was carried out in coordination with overseas law enforcement agencies, had found no indications of espionage.

“As of now we do not see evidence that will prove Huawei is engaged in spying activities,” said Banac, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.

Lucio B. Pitlo III, research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation in Quezon City, said the announcement would come as a major boost to the firm’s image in the region.