DITO vows to pay AFP rent in cash, not ‘kind,’ says military camps off limits to foreigners

Third telco DITO Telecommunity Corp. on Thursday clarified that it will be paying the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in cash for its lease of spaces inside military camps for the installation of its telecommunications towers and equipment.

Citing DITO’s memorandum of agreement with the AFP, DITO chef administrative officer Adel Tamano said that the company’s rental payment for its lease of spaces inside military camps is in “monetary equivalent” and not in “kind.”

“There were some claims that DITO will not pay for anything. Actually if you take a look at the MOA, we are very clear as to what the rates are,” Tamano said at a virtual press briefing.

“We are actually paying for this. This is not something that is given freely,” he said.

In an earlier TV interview, AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said DITO will be compensating the AFP in “kind,” by providing training, equipment, and upgrading the military’s technology capability.

For his part, DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said that the company is “the first telco required by the AFP to pay in monetary terms.”

“That is the reason why the chief of staff desires to review all the MOAs with the telcos,” Santiago said.

AFP chief of staff General Gilbert Gapay has ordered the updating of guidelines and crafting of implementing rules and regulations on the agreements between the military and telecommunication firms.

Arevalo said the changes in the communications environment and infrastructure prompted the AFP chief to order an upgrade on the guidelines which was crafted in 2006.

The AFP has agreements with telecommunication firms Globe and Smart, and recently DITO, to co-locate or host their cellsites.

The AFP spokesman said 62 of the 3,000 cellsites of Globe and 31 of the 9,700 cellsites of Smart are inside military camps.

Off limits

Meanwhile, Tamano also reiterated that DITO’s agreement with the AFP will not put national security at risk since specific provisions are laid out to ensure spying and obtaining of classified information will not happen.

Santiago said there is a specific provision in the contract that forbids foreigners from entering military camps.

“No, non-Filipino personnel will not be given access to the military camps,” the DITO chief technology officer said.

“Their is also a provision that allows the AFP to check anytime our cybersecurity protocols,” he added.

Tamano, likewise, said that any attempt by the co-locator, DITO, to obtain classified information is a ground for terminating the memorandum of agreement.

Tamano added that the AFP will be the one to decide where it will put the telecommunications infrastructure.

DITO’s deal with the AFP has been met with various oppositions. Lawmakers are also looking into blocking the deal.

The DITO chief administrative officer also emphasized that DITO is a Filipino-owned and managed company and is not bound to comply with foreign laws, such as the China Intelligence Law, despite being 40% owned by China Telecom.

Tamano noted that 60% of DITO is Filipino owned and its senior management and officers are comprised of Filipinos.

“China Telecom merely provides support to the local DITO management team. The involvement of foreign personnel in DITO is limited to providing technical advice and support,” Tamano said. -MDM/BM, GMA News