Security audit of DITO sought anew amid China’s incursion at the WPS
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros prodded the National Security Council anew to conduct a security audit of DITO Telecommunity, the third major telco player in the country.
Hontiveros cited the need to beef up the country’s maritime and internet security due to the increasing incursions of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea.
The lady senator said she woud not give up on her calls for an investigation on DITO’s plan to set up cell sites inside the camps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Noong 2019 pa lang, naghain na ako ng Senate Resolution 137 para suriin ang kasunduan na ‘yan ng DITO at ng ating AFP. Sana ay dinggin na rin ang resolusyong ito sa Senado,” said Hontiveros.
She also cited the issue on the illegal construction of DITO cell sites in barangays.
“Nagreklamo na nga ang mga taga-Malabon at Bacolod. Dapat tutukan ‘yan ng DILG at DICT. Baka dahil sa kagustuhang makabenta ay nakakalimutan na ng DITO ang pagsunod sa batas. Taon na ang ginugugol natin sa mga pangambang ‘yan, na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring linaw. Paano naman tayo makakampante sa DITO, lalo na’t ang China-owned ChinaTel ay siyang nagmamay-ari rin ng ating third telco,” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros said she isn’t surprised that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has delisted ChinaTel as an offshoot of former US President Donald Trump’s ban on American investments on Chinese firms providing aid to the Chinese military, intelligence and security agencies.
The lady solon said such development should serve as a warning to Philippine government agencies.
“Pursigido ang China sa panghihimasok sa teritoryo at ekonomiya ng Filipinas kaya dapat bantayan ang mga industryiang pinapasok nila sa loob ng ating bansa,” she added.
