Usually, it’s a case of “drug deal gone wrong” that has police mopping up and asking questions. Well this time, an under the table money exchange deal went wrong, and as the media goes wild with only small bits of information, Philippines lawmakers are once again launching accusations of espionage against the Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs).

On February 27, Yin Jian Tao, a Chinese POGO employee was shot dead, and his companion wounded, in an apparent money exchange deal that didn’t work out. Yang Chao Wen and Liang Yuan Wu, the suspects arrested in the case, have been charged with murder.

When caught by police the only identification found on the two suspects were People’s Liberation Army (PLA) IDs. Police have since determined that these were fake IDs. “The suspects are not members of the People’s Liberation Army,” said Makati Police Chief Col. Rogelio Simon. “We retrieved PLA IDs, but the names and photos did not match”

Before allowing the police to fully do their job, two senators used the tragic murder to renew their concerns about Chinese infiltration in the Philippines. Senator Panfilo Lacson called it a “cause for concern.” He added: “That may confirm a yet unvalidated report that a good number of PLA members are on immersion mission in several parts of the country although the reason for it is still unclear.”