AT LEAST three senators were alarmed by reports that some Filipino cadets and military officers underwent training in Beijing Military Academy.

During a hearing of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Senator Francis Tolentino said he got the information from documents submitted by nominees to the Commission on Appointments.

“We’ve stopped accepting cadets from the US, since 2008. Now we’re sending our cadets, Philippine Military Academy graduates or cadets to the Beijing Military Academy,” Tolentino said.

“Ano pong dahilan nito?” he asked officials of the Department of National Defense.

The senator pointed out that the United States is an ally while China has been harassing Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

Like Tolentino, Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Raffy Tulfo were disturbed upon learning the report.

Tulfo asked the DND to immediately stop sending military personnel for studies in China.

“Are we requiring them or encouraging our cadets to study at the Beijing Military Academy? I think this is quite alarming,” Estrada said.

Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino said that he will find out why the Philippines is sending cadets to China.