For a Safe and Reliable Digital Transformation
September 19, 2020We are now six months into the nationwide community quarantine, and the Filipino people have adopted digital tools to continue everyday activities for working and schooling. These include online transactions for banking, commerce, telemedicine and even availing of government services.
Digital platforms and tools have become a crucial part of every aspect of life, and this accelerated digitization, especially in the context of the pandemic, must be supported by robust and improved telecommunications services.
Given the pressing need for additional telecommunication services the rollout of a third telecommunications player should have been a welcome development. However, it has recently been reported that this third player, DITO Telecommunity which is backed by China state-owned China Telecom, has been allowed by the Philippine government to install cell sites inside the country’s military bases, raising security concerns.
Speaking at the Telco Talks webinar organized by the Philippine Bar Association, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that “our problem is with China Tel… and China has a law that any Chinese citizen or corporation must cooperate with the state intelligence service of China.”
Unlike the Singaporean and Indonesia partners of Globe and PLDT, Justice Carpio further explained that “we have to be very careful (with DITO and ChinaTelecom) because we are fighting to preserve our territory and maritime zone in the West Philippine Sea and China is encroaching on our territorial and maritime zones.”
CitizenWatch Philippines calls on the public to be vigilant of the looming threat of a China-controlled DITO Telecommunity cell towers in Philippine military camps. These towers are allegedly supposed to provide a boost in competition and options for consumers, but in reality, present grave security risks that may do more harm than good for the ordinary Filipino.
According to Atty. Marlon Tonson, Director and Founding Member of Tagapagtanggol ng Watawat, the Constitution “require government to setup regulatory system for the emergence of communication structures that would help Filipino capability. Take note, Filipino capability.”
CitizenWatch Philippines echoes the call for the Philippine government to focus on improving to the country’s telecommunication capabilities without sacrificing its security.
One solution is the strict implementation of the Ease Of Doing Business law. The implementation of this law would speed-up the processes required by national and local government units to acquire necessary permits. Doing so would allow existing digital infrastructure to quickly and legally improve and expand without ceding control of our telecommunications to a China-backed Telco.
As we continue to face the pandemic, the accelerated digital transformation of society needs increased and sustained support from the public and private sectors. Digital innovation and adopting new technologies have been a vital part of surviving the pandemic and our crisis response. Moving forward, these same tools can revive and future-proof our economy, create jobs for the unemployed, and ensure business continuity.
Let us protect and strengthen our own telecommunication industry, but without sacrificing the security or welfare of the Filipino people!