AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., (PNA photo by Priam Nepomuceno)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana always has the prerogative to cancel or revoke any memorandum of agreement entered into by the military with any entity or organization.
This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., when asked if there is a chance that the defense chief will cancel their co-location MOA with Dito Telecommunity (formerly Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company or Mislatel).
"No problem, because it's his prerogative," he said in an interview Tuesday.
Also, Madrigal clarified that he did not bypass Lorenzana when he approved the MOA, adding that it is procedural for him to sign it first before sending it to the DND chief and his staff for scrutiny.
"In our process, the MOA will have to be approved by SND (Secretary of National Defense), but before (it can go to) the Secretary of National Defense, I have to sign it first, the MOA can't go into the (office of) SND (without my approval), it would like that I would have him proofread the documents I would (have to) sign," he said in Filipino.
Also, Madrigal said the MOA with Dito Telecommunity passed scrunity through the military's intelligence, legal and communications divisions.
Earlier, AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said the military is open to any investigation into its co-location agreement with Dito Telecommunity.
"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 that 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. Instead, these will be on mountain tops or high areas near these facilities, which are the traditional sites for the installation of relay stations and other communications equipment to ensure the efficient propagation of signals.
The DND chief earlier said he will scrutinize the MOA upon his arrival in the country on September 20.
"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.
Lorenzana is on an official trip abroad.
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, 2018. The AFP and Dito signed the co-location MOA last September 11.
Also, the AFP chief bared that partnering with Mislatel is nothing new as similar MOAs have been entered into with Smart and Globe.
Based on the agreement, the AFP will determine specific locations with its rental value for use of Mislatel in the installation and management of its communications sites.
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.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080738
This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., when asked if there is a chance that the defense chief will cancel their co-location MOA with Dito Telecommunity (formerly Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company or Mislatel).
"No problem, because it's his prerogative," he said in an interview Tuesday.
Also, Madrigal clarified that he did not bypass Lorenzana when he approved the MOA, adding that it is procedural for him to sign it first before sending it to the DND chief and his staff for scrutiny.
"In our process, the MOA will have to be approved by SND (Secretary of National Defense), but before (it can go to) the Secretary of National Defense, I have to sign it first, the MOA can't go into the (office of) SND (without my approval), it would like that I would have him proofread the documents I would (have to) sign," he said in Filipino.
Also, Madrigal said the MOA with Dito Telecommunity passed scrunity through the military's intelligence, legal and communications divisions.
Earlier, AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said the military is open to any investigation into its co-location agreement with Dito Telecommunity.
"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 that 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. Instead, these will be on mountain tops or high areas near these facilities, which are the traditional sites for the installation of relay stations and other communications equipment to ensure the efficient propagation of signals.
The DND chief earlier said he will scrutinize the MOA upon his arrival in the country on September 20.
"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.
Lorenzana is on an official trip abroad.
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, 2018. The AFP and Dito signed the co-location MOA last September 11.
Also, the AFP chief bared that partnering with Mislatel is nothing new as similar MOAs have been entered into with Smart and Globe.
Based on the agreement, the AFP will determine specific locations with its rental value for use of Mislatel in the installation and management of its communications sites.
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.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080738
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