What invasion, they're already here!

IT's been going on for the past three decades below the radar in cunning ways to place boots on the ground in disguise: as students, media, businessmen, tourists, researchers, online gamers, technicians, traders, entrepreneurs, builders, retirees, expats, etc. They buy local identity papers to obtain property and infiltrate the government, private sector, civil society and uniformed services for purposes of conducting influence operations, cognitive warfare and espionage. Then there are the criminal syndicates involved in illegal drugs, smuggling, money laundering, kidnapping and murder.

Previous administrations paved the way for China to solidify its strategic position in the country. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese allegedly work in Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). Many are clustered close to key military camps, strategic bases and centers of national power; its armed elements living it up in condominiums and exclusive villages. PLA cadres are involved in drug trafficking, cyber operations, intelligence gathering, money laundering, smuggling activities, and clandestine operations. Investigations have revealed a tangled web of corruption and connivance.