AFP: No DITO proposal on military camp cell sites

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday it has yet to receive a proposal from Dito Telecommunity Corp. on building cell towers in military camps.

AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said that the number of cell sites to be put up in its camps have yet to be determined as the proposal has not yet been submitted.

The proposal is still subject to vetting and concurrence by the AFP, Arevalo said amid mounting opposition to the deal.

Defense Secretery Delfin Lorenzana recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that allowed China-linked Dito to put up cell towers in AFP camps.

Arevalo noted that the MOA is still subject to situations and limitations, as with any installation in all military sites.

“Therefore, notwithstanding the letter and intent of the MOA, there is a tedious process that is required (as well as) and AFP’s concurrence, as the host will have to be secured first,” he said in a statement.

Some lawmakers and sectors have opposed the move, saying the cell sites could be used by China for espionage.

Defense officials have tried to downplay such concerns, saying that assessments showed that there is a low risk of it happening. They said there are ample safeguards to ensure that national security will be protected.

The AFP has repeatedly said that Dito will be given the same deal as what was granted to locally owned networks Globe and Smart.