The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is working closely with the United States Indo-Pacific Command to coordinate disaster response efforts in areas badly hit by flash floods and landslides attributed to severe tropical storm ‘Crising’ and the southwest monsoon rains or ‘habagat.’
This is according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., who announced this week that the U.S., Japan and other allies offered assistance to the Philippine government in its ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Teodoro said AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. has been in touch with the U.S. IndoPaCom to coordinate how facilities under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and other equipment can be utilized to support these activities.
Signed in 2014, the EDCA provides for Filipino and American soldiers to train together and allows the U.S. to build facilities as well as preposition supplies and equipment inside strategically located bases in the country.
There are currently nine EDCA sites across the country – the Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu; Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
“Japan and our other allies are also there (to help),” Teodoro said. “Our countrymen will see the benefits of cooperation between our armed forces in helping our people overcome the challenges posed by nature,” he added.
Teodoro gave the message hours before he and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in the Pentagon to discuss defense and security issues with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Philippine defense chief is part of President Marcos’ official delegation during his visit in Washington D.C. along with other Cabinet secretaries.
Teodoro said they are constantly monitoring developments while in the U.S. to pursue high-level meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with the Philippines’ longtime treaty ally.
He noted that relief goods have already been prepositioned and President Marcos remains on top of the situation.
“We are not only responding to immediate needs of those affected, but we’re also anticipating what will be needed in the coming days,” Teodoro said.
Classes and government work have been suspended on Tuesday in several areas, including Metro Manila, following heavy floods triggered by ‘habagat’ and two low pressure areas threatening cities and municipalities across Luzon.
