AFP Says Construction of DITO Towers Inside Camps Poses ‘Very Low’ Security Risk

MANILA – Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay said Tuesday that DITO Telecommunity’s proposal to build towers within military camps poses a “very low” security risk, dispelling concerns about espionage. .

Having the facilities of the Chinese-affiliated telecommunications company within Philippine military camps could even be an advantage, as this gives officials easy access to conduct inspections “without warning,” Gapay said at a press conference in line organized by the Association of Foreign Correspondents of the Philippines (FOCAP). .

“In general, we don’t see any security risk. It’s very low. And we think it’s better that they’re inside because (we could) have a no-notice inspection. We could inspect them at midnight, any time of night, early in the morning, until dawn. We can do that if they are inside. So there is that total control of their operations, “Gapay said.

“With regard to the security aspect, the installation of towers and communication facilities within the camps represents a low risk, as far as security is concerned,” he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana previously said that he recently approved a Memorandum of Agreement between DITO and AFP that would allow the telecommunications company to install towers in select military camps despite espionage or espionage concerns.

DITO previously clarified that it will not allow its facilities to be used for espionage, saying that the company is Philippine-owned. The consortium is made up of Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp and Chelsea Logistics, which owns 60 percent, and state-owned China Telecom, which owns the remaining 40 percent.

In a virtual briefing, Managing Director Adel Tamano said the MOA could be “terminated immediately” when attempting to obtain classified information or espionage.

There are 22 proposed sites that will be evaluated one by one, Gapay said at the FOCAP briefing, adding that there are 2 or 3 more steps before the telco can install facilities.

DITO previously said it could probably build some 2,000 towers this year, or more than its first-year commitment of 1,300.

Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc have similar agreements with AFP, the third telco reported.

DITO has also submitted a proposal to build facilities within the Department of Education facilities, such as public schools. DepEd said the proposal is currently being “evaluated.”