‘AFP training in China a slap on our face’

by cEcillE suErtE FElipE Philstar.com

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has an ongoing military exchange program with China, as confirmed by Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino.

Even the Philippine National Police Academy is sending cadets to the Beijing Military Academy and other training institutions of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Some senators find the situation baffling amid China’s aggression in the South China Sea.

Senators Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo and Jinggoy Estrada have agreed that the AFP should explain the program and why the Philippine Military Academy

(PMA) stopped accepting cadets from the United States since 2008.

“This is indeed very alarming. This has to be explained. We have not been accepting cadets from our (military) treaty ally while we have been sending (our soldiers) to the country harassing us in the West Philippine Sea… this… I find it very alarming that we are sending or encouraging our cadets and senior military officers to Beijing,” Estrada said.

What’s the rationale behind this?

by JosE rodEl clapano ElizabEth MarcElo Philstar.com

MANILA — Pointing out that the education sector is “intertwined with national security,” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Monday, August 7 defended the Department of Education (DepEd)’s requested P150million budget for confidential expenses in 2024.

In a chance interview with reporters on the sidelines of the DepEd’s Balik Eskwela 2023 national kick-off ceremony at Tarlac National High School in Tarlac City, Duterte said she is leaving it up to Congress to decide on the DepEd’s request, but maintained that the agency needs a confidential fund to play its role in national security.

“Because education is intertwined with national security. Napakahalaga na (It’s very important that) we mold children who are patriotic, children who will love our country and will defend our country,” she said when asked why her agency needs a confidential fund.

The Vice President did not give a breakdown on how the DepEd intends to use its requested P150-million confidential fund. Instead she said there is already an existing set of guidelines on the fund’s proper use and

How did this happen?”

Tolentino said yesterday during the public hearing of the Senate committee on national defense and security on the proposed National Defense Act.

“This has to stop. It’s a slap on our face because while China is bullying us, our military could not retaliate,” Tulfo said, urging the Department of National Defense to stop the program. “This is the first time I heard

Espino said he has yet to validate if PMA cadets were also training in the Chinese military school. Only AFP officers with the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher may avail themselves of the yearlong training in Beijing, he noted.

“That’s part of Chinese promoting influence globally,” Tulfo noted. He believes the program could even allow the PLA to “infiltrate” the Philippine military hierarchy.

As for the PMA’s nonacceptance of U.S. cadets since 2008, Tolentino said “there must be a reason why they stopped sending cadets from the United States.” g