Lorenzana says he will 'probably sign' AFP-Dito deal

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sees no problem with the deal between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and China-backed Dito Telecommunity Corporation (formerly Mislatel), which will allow the latter to build telecommunications facilities in military camps.

"Nothing wrong. That's the same with Globe and Smart. I... most probably will sign it," Lorenzana told reporters Thursday night.

During the budget hearing of the Department of Defense in the Senate, Lorenzana assured senators that his decision on the deal would be in the "interest of the country."

Lorenzana also said the Dito towers would be placed in areas where the towers of Smart Communications and Globe are located.

Several groups and lawmakers have expresed fears that the towers would open the country to spying by the Chinese government.

The agreement was inked by the military and Dito Telecommunity at Camp Aguinaldo on September 11. At the time, Lorenzana was out of the country for official business.

Under the agreement, the telecommunications firm would pay rent through the AFP CEIS in the form of equipment, upgrades, services, and training equivalent to the monetary value of the lease and subject to inflation.

Dito Telecommunity, meanwhile, has assured the public that their facilities would not be used to obtain classified information.

AFP spokesman Marine Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo has earlier said the presence of the structures inside military camps would not harm the country's national security, adding that it has more gains than risks. —KBK, GMA News