AFP allows China Telecom linked telco to build communications facilities inside military camps

September 12, 2019

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) allowed China Telecom-linked telco to build its communication facilities inside military camps.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel) signed the Memorandum of Agreement that allows the new telco to build its communications facilities in military camps and installations," said Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP public affairs chief Thursday.

Detoyato said the "Mislatel consortium, which will adopt the name 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 last year," he said.

Detoyato said the memorandum of agreement was signed by Maj. Gen. Adrian Sanchez Jr,,  deputy chief of staff for communications, electronics, and information systems , J6; and  Adel Tamano, chief administrative officer of Mislatel in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday.

"The signing was witnessed by retired Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Santiago Jr, the chief technology officer of Mislatel and Col. Walter Icaro, chief of the plans, policy, program and budget division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for CEIS, J6," he said.

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

Detoyato said Mislatel 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.

"Payment will be made by providing CEIS equipment, upgrade, services, and training to the AFP equivalent to the monetary value of the lease subject to inflation," he said.

AFP Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr said their "partnership gives Mislatel a fair chance to compete with the other networks, given that the AFP also have similar partnership with Globe and Smart," 

"Our MOA with other telcos significantly improved the ICT infrastructure of the AFP and we are optimistic that this opportunity will also bring great benefits to the armed forces," he added.

Detoyato said Mislatel also “guarantees that the devices, equipment, and structures installed at the site provided by the AFP shall not be used to obtain classified information” as a measure to prevent electronic espionage.

"We at Dito Telecommunity are truly grateful to the AFP for this partnership. The roll-out of Dito's towers is indeed one herculean feat. With this partnership with the AFP, we are nearer our goal of building a wide and robust network," Dito's president and chief executive officer Dennis Uy said.

Detoyato said the MOA was subsequently endorsed by Madrigal for the approval of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Robina Asido/DMS