8-8-2023 (MANILA) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recently come under scrutiny as it was revealed that they have an ongoing military exchange program with China. Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino confirmed the existence of this program, which includes sending cadets from the Philippine National Police Academy to the Beijing Military Academy and other training institutions of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
This revelation has left some senators puzzled, particularly in light of China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Senators Francis Tolentino, Raffy Tulfo, and Jinggoy Estrada have expressed their concerns and called for an explanation from the AFP regarding the program. They also questioned 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… What’s the rationale behind this? How did this happen?” said Senator Tolentino during a public hearing of the Senate committee on national defense and security on the proposed National Defense Act.
Senator Tulfo echoed these sentiments, stating, “This has to stop. It’s a slap on our face because while China is bullying us, our military could not retaliate.” He urged the Department of National Defense to halt the program immediately.
Senator Estrada expressed his concern about the situation, saying, “This is the first time I heard this… I find it very alarming that we are sending or encouraging our cadets and senior military officers to Beijing.”
In response, Defense Senior Undersecretary Espino stated that he still needs to validate whether PMA cadets are also participating in training at Chinese military schools. He clarified that only AFP officers with the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher are eligible for the yearlong training program in Beijing.
Senator Tulfo emphasized that this program is part of China’s global influence campaign and expressed his worry that it could allow the PLA to “infiltrate” the Philippine military hierarchy.
Regarding the PMA’s decision to stop accepting US cadets since 2008, Senator Tolentino remarked, “There must be a reason why they stopped sending cadets from the United States.”
