Senator Francis Tolentino on Monday questioned the Department of Defense (DND) over the sending of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets to study at Beijing Military Academy in China.
During the hearing on Senate Committee on National Defense, Tolentino said he noticed that some Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials had studied at Beijing Military Academy.
"Ano ang dahilan nito? Tinigil natin ang pagtanggap ng kadete galing Amerika [since 2008]. Nagpapadala tayo ng kadete sa US Airforce Academy. Subalit, hindi tayo tumatanggap ng Kadete mula sa Amerika. Nagpapadala naman tayo sa Beijing Academy sa China?" he said.
The Senator pointed out the irony that the country sends cadets to its tormentor while it turned down cadets from its ally.
"Doon sa may treaty at ally natin, hindi tayo tumatanggap; 'yung nagha-harass sa atin sa West Philippine Sea, pinapadala naman natin 'yung ating kadete galing PMA,” Tolentino said.
He also mentioned that lawmakers have been promoting the revival of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in college, but it turns out that the country has been sending cadets to China.
"Nagulat ako, Mr. Chairman. They are not there not just to learn Chinese culinary or use of chopsticks, 'diba?" the Senator added.
Meanwhile, Senator Raffy Tulfo said that this move is a big "slap" to the country.
"Binu-bully tayo ng China and yet ang ating militar ay walang magawa. 'Yung military natin ay hindi kayang harapin yung China. Pinapadala natin sa China para mag-aral, so parang sampla sa atin ito," he underscored.
Tulfo said this activity has to be put to an end.
Tolentino then urged the defense department to explain the concrete reason behind this act.
Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino vowed to look into the matter and report it to the committee.
