AFP chief clarifies: PH not sending cadets to China to study

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is not sending its military cadets to study in China, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

“Let me just clarify: we don’t send cadets to China [to study],” Brawner said, partly in Filipino, during a press conference in Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Thursday.

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Brawner said that, as of present, the Philippines is only sending their cadets to the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

To date, there are 45 Filipino cadets studying in these countries, according to the top official.

He made this clarification when asked to comment on senators’ reaction when they learned that several ranking AFP officials had completed their schooling at the Beijing Military Academy and other training institutions of the Communist People’s Liberation Army.

READ: Senators stunned to learn PMA cadets study in Beijing Military Academy

However, Brawner noted that the Philippine government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government in 2004, adding that this experience brought positive results for the country.

“We get so much value by sending officers and enlisted personnel to study,” he said. “When they come back, they share best practices and we can see what we can apply here.”

READ: Tulfo: AFP execs’ China training a ‘slap in PH face’

je/abc