Many speculate about a link between the canceled DOTR-China loan financing deal and the Valle Verde raid last October 16. Six arrested Chinese nationals are reportedly members of a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sleeper cell.

In an interview, Bautista confirmed the Philippines’ withdrawal from the 83 billion php loan agreement with China.

These projects include the first phase of the Mindanao Railway project and the South Long and Subic-Clark railways projects.

Bautista’s decision came simultaneously with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro’s criticism of China’s remarks over the West Philippine Sea.

Likewise, the NBI arrested six Chinese nationals renting a house at the Valle Verde 5 subdivision in Pasig City.

The Valle Verde 5 Homeowners Association said the raid happened on Celery Street around 3 p.m. last October 16.

NBI agents led by Director Rommel Vallejo say they raided the house because of a complaint against one of the tenants. This suspect reportedly harmed or threatened his fellow Chinese nationals.

What surprised the NBI was the presence of an assault rifle, a 40-caliber gun, and several rounds of ammunition.

The agents likewise found military badges with roles such as “blasting team,” “recon team,” “support team,” “assault team,” “machine gun team,” and “sniper team.”

The arrested Chinese nationals disowned ownership of these high-powered weapons and claimed that their two Filipino security personnel owned them.

However, Manila Times columnist and former DILG secretary Raffy Alunan III believes this is a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sleeper cell.

In his column, Alunan III says there may be hundreds if not thousands of these sleeper cells waiting for instructions from the PLA to strike Metro Manila. Indeed, he says, these cells are just near the centers of our security gravity. That Valle Verde incident could prove Alunan’s thesis.

Meanwhile, government is reportedly investigating the support given by some Filipino politicians to the PLA.