The Philippines and the United States on Tuesday tackled the security aid and utilization of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. had meetings with the Philippines’ National Security Advisor Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and Armed Forces Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. in Manila.
The US Joint Chiefs of Staff public affairs office on Wednesday said “the leaders discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the alliance.”
These include “bilateral security assistance, utilization of (EDCA) agreed locations and the importance of maritime domain awareness to counter illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities.”
“The leaders also shared their assessments of the regional security environment, including recent events in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal, and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the readout stated.
The US Department of Defense meanwhile said Brown toured a “US rotational access site designated as part of the EDCA.”
“The sites are designed to strengthen combined training, exercises and interoperability between the two countries,” the department said.
Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, allowing them to build facilities and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels. There are currently nine EDCA sites with the US in the Philippines.
On the part of the Philippines, Brawner said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Armed Forces continue to engage in various joint activities like training exercises, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response operations.
These aim to further solidify their Philippine-US partnership and readiness to respond to any contingencies.
“Our alliance with the United States remains a cornerstone of our national security. Through continued collaboration and mutual support, we fortify our defense capabilities and ensure the stability of our region,” Brawner said in a statement.
“This visit sends a strong message to our neighbors and signals that our military-to-military relationship is strong. We hope that General Brown’s visit will be beneficial for both the Philippines and the US,” he added.
