AFP on call to probe DITO tower deal: "It's an opportunity to present the whys of our decision"

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday welcomed the call of Senator Risa Hontiveros for an immediate Senate hearing on the agreement between the military and the Dito Telecommunity Corporation to allow the installation of towers in military camps.

"We respect the Senate’s oversight function. We are happy to be tasked and in fact welcome the call for a Senate inquiry on the signed MOA between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and DITO Corp.," AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said in a press statement.

Arevalo said a Senate investigation is an opportunity for the AFP to present and discuss with senators "the whys and wherefores" of the decision to sign an agreement with the China-backed company.

"This may even be an opportunity for the legislators to draw inputs from the said hearing on the matter to aid them in their legislative function," Arevalo said.

On Monday, Hontiveros expressed concern over the said pact, adding that China has been continuing its activities over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, even though an arbitral tribunal already invalidated Beijing’s claims over the region.

“Nagpapasakop ba tayo? Ang isang China-owned telco sa kampo ng sarili nating militar ay lubos na kaduda-duda, lalo na at ang Tsina ay hindi humihinto sa agresibong pag-angkin sa West Philippine Sea, pagsira sa ating likas-yaman, at pag-abuso sa mga mangingisdang Pilipino," Hontiveros said.

The opposition lawmaker said she would request the committee on national defense to hear Resolution No. 137 in the Senate immediately.

"Kailangan mabusisi ang kasunduang ito kasi mahirap paniwalaan na walang pansariling interes ang Tsina sa pagtayo nito ng cell sites sa sarili mismo nating military camps," she said.

"Wala bang ibang cell sites? Bakit kailangan sa military bases? It's as if the Chinese state itself is present within our military camps. Our national security is at risk here,” she added.

Hontiveros also mentioned that there is also the Chinese Counter-Espionage Law in which "Chinese corporations cannot refuse to assist their government in this regard."

"This is already a warning signal, and yet the AFP seems to have forgotten the warning its mother department itself raised last year,” Hontiveros said.

Arevalo had said the military carefully assessed the matter before signing the contract with DITO.

He also assured the public that experts from the AFP and other concerned agencies would participate once the installation of towers starts.—AOL, GMA News