Senator Raffy T. Tulfo is angry about a government program sending high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in China to study and train at its military academy with the Chinese government paying all expenses.
This program was divulged by Senator Francis Tolentino during the public hearing of the Senate national defense committee chaired by Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday, August 7.
Tolentino’s revelation was confirmed by Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Ireneo Espino.
Tulfo stressed that the government must put a stop to the said program because it is a complete insult to the Filipinos who continue to be bullied by China.
He cited the persistent harassment and bullying of the members of the AFP by Chinese military in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Malaking insulto ito sa atin! Kung iisipin na walang patid ang ginagawang pang-haharass at pambubully ng Chinese military sa mga miyembro ng ating AFP sa West Philippine Sea, (This is a huge insult to us! If you think about the continuing harassment and bullying of the Chinese military to members of our AFP in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” Tulfo said.
The latest incident took place last August 5 wherein one of China’s coast guard vessels used a water cannon against a Philippine Navy and PCG boat meant to deliver supply in Ayungin Shoal located in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tulfo earlier urged AFP to remove the cellular tower of a telecommunications company inside a military camp that is largely owned by Chinese government.
He also learned that some of the military equipment of the AFP, including computer hardware, is donated by Chinese government.
Tulfo said he would file a Senate Resolution in-aid of legislation to investigate these alarming practices.