ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay has ordered the updating of guidelines and crafting of implementing rules and regulations for agreements forged with telecommunication companies in order to keep up with the technology advancements.
Major General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson, said on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, that the agreements on the construction of cellsites in military camps were signed in 2006 yet.
“Kailangan natin itong i-update sapagkat ito ay nabuo nung 2006 pa, so napakarami nang pagbabago sa communications environment na kailangan nating isagawa, kailangan nating iakma ang kasalukuyan nating umiiral na guidelines sa implementation ng memoranda,” Arevalo said in a virtual press briefing.
“Dati rati may analog pa tayo, ngayon digital na and not only fully digital, may 4G na at kung magkakaroon ng pagbabago from what I understand is being offered by Dito telecommunity, 5G 'yung technology na gusto nilang i-offer sa mga subscriber,” he added.
For security purposes, telecommunication companies Globe and Smart have partnered with the AFP in the construction of their cellsites.
Arevalo said 62 of the 3,000 Globe cellsites while 31 of the 9,700 Smart towers are located inside military camps in various parts of the country.
Cellsites are usually targeted by communist rebels for their extortion activities.
The military also signed recently an agreement with Dito Telecommunity, which is partially owned by China Telecom.
Arevalo earlier said Dito has yet to submit its proposal for the construction of cellsites in military camps. (SunStar Philippines)