AFP open to any probe regarding MOA with telcom firm

This was emphasized by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato in an interview with reporters Monday (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is open to any investigation that will look into its co-location memorandum agreement (MOA) with Dito Telecommunity (formerly Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company or Mislatel).

This was emphasized by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato in an interview with reporters Monday.

“We’re open to any investigation (on the MOA with Dito Telecommunity) and we’re open to show them other details of the MOA,” he said in Filipino.

Detoyato added the military has nothing to hide, noting that the AFP made public its MOA signing with Dito Telecommunity last week.

Also, he clarified that the co-location MOA does not automatically mean that the telecommunication firm will set up its equipment inside military camps and bases but on mountain tops or high areas near these facilities, which are the traditional sites for relay stations and other communications equipment to ensure the efficient propagation of signals.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he will scrutinize the MOA upon his arrival on Sept. 20 from an official overseas trip.

“I am traveling when this came out. When I inquired, the CSAFP (Chief of Staff, AFP Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr.) said the MOA is going to my office for my approval. So now I am aware of it and I will scrutinize it carefully before giving my approval. I’ll be back in Manila on the 20th,” he added in a message to reporters.

In Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Lorenzana told him that DND will look into the agreement.
“So we will wait for his findings. I’m sure the DND Secretary and Mr. (National Security Adviser Hermogenes) Esperon will be undertaking measures to respond to that concerns,” Panelo said in a Palace media briefing.

Dito Telecommunity is composed of Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp.

, Udenna Corp, and China Telecom.

It was conferred with the status of New Major Player in the telecommunications industry by the National Telecommunications Commission on November 19, 2019.

The AFP and Dito signed the co-location MOA last September 11.

Earlier, Madrigal said there are ongoing efforts and activities to secure all military communications from espionage. Also, the AFP chief bared that partnering with Mislatel is nothing new as similar MOAs have been entered with Smart and Globe.

Based on the agreement, the AFP will determine specific locations, with its rental value, for use by Mislatel in the installation and management of its communications sites without undermining the operations of affected AFP units.

The telecommunication firm is also required to “furnish all equipment, labor, and materials necessary to effect the co-location of its facilities and shoulders all expenses in connection with or incidental to the co-location” and payment of all taxes, permits, licenses, and other charges.