By John Clifford Lintao
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has yet to determine how many and which of the government camps will be installed with telecommunication facilities from China-backed Dito Telecommunity Corporation, said AFP Spokesperson General Edgar Arevalo.
“Sa ngayon, kapipirma pa lang ng Secretary of National Defense ng memorandum of agreement so we are now in the process of discussing where exactly these military camps will be at kung ilan,” Arevalo was quoted as saying in a television interview.
“But suffice it to say, when we talk about military camps, we don’t necessarily mean na at the heart of these military camps. May mga kampo tayo na malalaki ang reservations at puwedeng doon ‘yan ilalagay, co-located with other signal facility kagaya ng dalawa pang telco, ‘yung Globe and Smart,” he added.
Arevalo also made an assurance to the public that experts from the AFP and other concerned agencies would participate once the installation of towers starts.
“Definitely, kasama ‘yan doon sa sinasabi nating safeguards hinggil sa paglalagay ng mga tower na ito. Every time, we have installations to be done, may kasama tayo na IT expert from the AFP and from the other agencies of government, particularly ang NTC at DICT,” Arevalo said.
Asked if foreigners would be allowed to enter military camps during the facilities construction, the AFP spokesman answered affirmative but hinted on a stringent security and identification requirements.
“Mayroon tayong mga IT expert na kasama diyan, definitely if there will be non-Filipinos o foreigners na papasok sa ating kampo, ‘yung ating requirement for clearances, identification, prior notice, kinukuha po natin ‘yan,” Arevalo said.
“Basic ‘yan kahit sa pagpasok pa lang sa kampo nire-require na natin ‘yan, lalong-lalo na if it has something to do with telecom facilities. Ire-require natin,” he added.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier announced that he had signed the agreement with the telecommunications firm despite security concerns.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon belittled concerns that the towers could make the country vulnerable to spying by the Chinese government even as he expressed desire for telecommunication facilities constructed in schools and municipalities.
The AFP maintained that the presence of the structures inside military camps would not harm the country’s national security, adding that it will have more gains than risks.
Arevalo said the military had carefully assessed the matter before the signing of contract with Dito was done.