MANILA — The Chinese Embassy said a Mongolian citizen arrested in Iba, Zambales has no ties to the Chinese government.

“To the best of our knowledge, this individual has no affiliation with China,” the embassy’s deputy spokesperson said in a statement.

The official also warned against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete, saying that “prejudging the matter before the facts are fully ascertained is fundamentally flawed and runs counter to basic principles of objectivity.”

Authorities have started deportation proceedings against the foreigner.

Information obtained by the Armed Forces of the Philippines indicates that the Mongolian citizen is allegedly a jet fighter pilot in China’s People’s Liberation Army and had completed training at the PLA Air Force Aviation University.

Eduardo Año previously disclosed the details of the suspect’s alleged military background.

The foreign national is being held at the custodial facility of the Bureau of Immigration while the investigation continues. Immigration authorities added that he has denied the allegations.