Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 10) — Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has shot down reports about Filipino cadets being sent to Chinese military schools, saying there is no truth to these reports.
“It’s not totally accurate. The basis of this is that in 2004, we signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation with China,” Brawner explained on CNN Philippines’ Politics As Usual on Wednesday.
He said the MOU allowed the Philippines to send officers to study in Chinese military schools or to train and partake in military exercises.
“As to the cadets, there are no cadets being sent to China and we never sent any cadets to train in China, except for some instances when the Chinese government invited several cadets for an exchange for a few days, for just one week,” he added.
Lawmakers expressed alarm over reports of Filipino cadets being sent to a Chinese military academy following the latest incident in the West Philippine Sea. Last week, the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels on the way to Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission.
READ: DND asked: Are Pinoy cadets sent to study in China?
Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino, the highest defense official present during the Senate hearing, said he “has heard about it” but he has yet to “find out the reason why they are sending cadets to China.”
