The MOU, Ejercito pointed out, covers cybersecurity and energy-related issues that could potentially backfire on the Philippine government considering it has been embroiled in a number of diplomatic protests with China over maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
“Again what happened in our airport, the airport glitch… In one blink of an eye, our air system could be paralyzed, our air navigation… If we don’t have any dispute with China, I guess I would be comfortable,” Ejercito said during a press briefing at the Senate. The Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, has ruled out that cyberattack and sabotage as the reason behind the incident.
“That’s only my personal take, but what if we have a major dispute with China…with just one switch, they can paralyze the whole Philippines. They can paralyze or cripple our economy,” he pointed out.