Questions have surfaced online over the presence of a foreign national wearing what appears to be a U.S. military-style combat uniform during the recent National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-led operation in Davao City.

Photos circulating on social media show a Caucasian man in camouflage battle dress, tactical gear and what appears to be an identification card, standing near civilians and personnel at the site of the operation.

Another image shows what appears to be a similarly equipped individual standing behind NBI Director Melvin Matibag during a media interview.

The images have prompted questions about the identity and role of the foreigner, particularly whether he was part of the government operation, a foreign military representative, security personnel or merely an observer.

The questions come amid the NBI and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) operation at Davao Mighty Steel Corp. in Barangay Ilang, Bunawan District, where authorities arrested 14 people—10 Chinese nationals and four Filipinos—and rescued up to 174 Filipino workers.

Authorities are investigating alleged violations involving substandard steel products and possible radioactive materials.

The presence of a foreigner in military-style gear, however, is a separate matter that has yet to be publicly explained. There is no confirmation yet from the NBI, PAOCC, Philippine National Police or the U.S. authorities that the individual was officially part of the operation.

The photographs alone also do not establish that he was an NBI agent or that he was exercising law-enforcement powers.