New telco towers to be used for China espionage? 'Kalokohan iyan,' says Esperon

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Thursday said he wants telecommunication facilities to be installed even in schools and municipalities, and not just inside military camps.

This came after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana inked the agreement with China-backed Dito Telecommunity Corporation, which will pave the way for the installation of the firm's telecommunication facilities inside military camps.

Esperon belittled concerns that the towers could make the country vulnerable to spying by the Chinese government.

"Kalokohan 'yan, anong klaseng spy? Masyado kayong ano eh pupunta sa loob eh under control nga natin 'yung ano, 'yung tower nila di dapat matuwa pa tayo. Ako nagrecommend ako na ano na lahat ng eskwelahan, lahat ng munisipyo, lahat ng barangay, dapat tayuan ng tower," Esperon said.

"Anong pakinabang noon? Eh di magkakaroon ng wide coverage di ba? Dahil nakita naman natin na 'yun ang kailangan natin, coverage kasi 19,000 pa lang towers samantalang kailangan natin mga 50,000. Mahirap kumuha ng permit so matagal tayo," he added.

Esperon insisted that the matter is not a cause for concern.

"Hindi problema 'yan, mga ano lang 'yan, hindi ako, iba 'yung security na sinabi nila. Eh maski naman anong gamit mo kung gusto mong mag-espionage, hindi na nila kailangang gawin 'yun nandito na sila" Esperon said.

Armed Forces spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo 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.

On the other hand, the telecommunications firm has assured the public that their facilities would not be used to obtain classified information. -MDM, GMA News