Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. has underscored the shared values in the long-standing Philippines–United States alliance during a joint humanitarian simulation exercise held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
“Our partnership is premised on a fundamental value, the irreplaceable worth we place on every human life. That is very valuable to both of us. We respect each other, we respect human lives, and we are here to preserve that fundamental value,” Teodoro said.
Teodoro, along with US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., witnessed the joint simulation exercise focusing on the delivery of family food packs (FFPs) to flood-affected communities.
The event showcased how food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are loaded and airlifted using U.S. military aircraft, including the MV-22 Osprey, emphasizing the vital role of coordination and logistics in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.
The activity also served as an assessment platform to identify improvements for future joint HADR missions.
Carlson reaffirmed the continued support of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), which has been working closely with the AFP to deliver relief to areas hit by successive monsoons.
To date, 4,800 food packs have been distributed, including to remote locations as far as the Batanes Islands.
“To our treaty partners, the United States of America, we say thank you. And this will not be the last time. In the spirit of multilateralism, in the spirit of our bilateral people-to-people ties, we hope this partnership will be sustained and enhanced to contribute to the greater good of humankind.” Teodoro added.
The activity concluded with a guided tour of the MV-22 Osprey, highlighting its rapid deployment capability in crisis situations.
