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US envoy Sung Kim says Huawei concerns ‘very serious’
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said Thursday that US’ concerns with Huawei Technologies are very serious.
“It’s important as a friend, as a party, and as an ally to share our concerns with the Philippines and other partners with the region and beyond. You know these are very serious concerns,” Kim said at during a press conference in Quezon City.
However, Kim noted that they are leaving the decision to the policymakers and private sector leaders in the Philippines how they will respond to this issue.
“But in the end, it’s up to the individual countries to make decisions on which companies they partner with, which technologies they choose to use,” Kim said.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the individual country to make decisions based on the full range of factors in play,” Kim also said.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo earlier warned the Philippine government against partnering with the Chinese tech firm amid allegations that it could be a spy of the Chinese government.
Kim said that they have widely shared their information on Huawei and that the policymakers and private sector leaders in the Philippines are aware of the supposed security threat.
“Frankly, it’s not just concerns of the United States. I think many countries share those concerns,” Kim said.
Despite the warning, local telecommunications companies PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. are both in wait-and-see mode.
"PLDT and Smart will work closely with Huawei in addressing concerns regarding future firmware and software updates for phones, pocket Wifi units, and other devices," read the PLDT statement.
Globe said they are waiting for other affected companies’ assessment on Huawei concerns before they respond to the issue.
"The problem is there is no definitive, facts-based analysis of what the actual order is, and how US tech companies actually implement…I understand various affected companies are assessing, and we are waiting for their analysis," Globe chief technology officer Gil Genio said.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde has directed the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to investigate the Chinese company Huawei.
Huawei Technologies was set to provide equipment for the country’s ‘Safe Philippines’ project. —LBG, GMA News
