Lorenzana says AFP-Dito agreement not yet a done deal

The agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Dito Telecommunity Corporation is not yet final and can still be scrapped if lawmakers find it risky for the country’s national security, according to the Department of National Defense (DND).

This was confirmed by Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday to GMA News Online.

Asked if the AFP-Dito agreement isn't a done deal yet and can still be scrapped if it would be rejected by the senators, Lorenzana answered, “Yes.”

But before acting on the matter, the defense chief said he is still waiting for the suggestions of senators as regards the pact which will allow the China-backed firm to build telecommunications facilities in military hubs.

“I have yet to receive their comments or suggestions,” Lorenzana said.

“I gave them copies of the three memorandum of agreement (Smart, Globe and Dito) upon their request kasi titingnan daw muna before I act on the Dito MOA,” he added.

In a separate phone interview, DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said even before senators raised concerns over the deal, Lorenzana has been carefully looking into the agreement.

“Even before yesterday’s hearing, the SND was already carefully scrutinizing the contract and the details that go with about that,” Andolong told GMA News Online.

“Kumuha pa kami ng experts sa legal, technical to study it. ‘Yung mga inputs ng senators, he’s taking them into consideration,” Andolong added.

Asked if the DND has a target deadline on when the pact will really be approved, Andolong said he is not privy of any.

“Not that I know of kasi open-ended naman ‘yung... the implementation of this is open-ended. I’m not aware of any deadline,” Andolong said.

“I think that is immaterial, kailangan pagaralang mabuti ito,” he added.

Last month, Lorenzana said he sees no problem with the deal and hinted that he might sign the same.

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

He added the Dito towers would be placed in areas where the towers of Smart Communications and Globe are located.

Camp Aguinaldo signing

On September 11, the agreement between the military and Dito was signed at Camp Aguinaldo. During that period, Lorenzana was abroad for an official business.

The telecommunications firm has assured the public that their facilities would not be used to obtain classified information.

The military has said the presence of the structures inside military camps would not harm the Philippines’ national security, noting that it has more gains than risks.

In the Senate plenary deliberations on DND’s P191-billion budget for 2020, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said if ever the DND allows Dito to build towers inside military camps, the agency should submit the regulations and clearances it has on the matter.

Recto further asked security forces to work together in protecting the Philippines from Chinese companies, as he claimed that there seems to be connivance from the foreign firms. — RSJ, GMA News