TOP military officials from the Philippines and the United States are set to check on the completed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) projects in Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
This is part of the two other Edca site visits in the country, a day before the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) meeting on Thursday, September 14. 2023, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The other Edca sites in the tour are Lal-lo Airport and Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr., US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson and US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral John Aquilino compose the team which will check on the three EDCA sites.
AFP Public Affairs Office chief Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Gil Ileto said the tour will provide an opportunity for senior military officials to gain first-hand knowledge of the bases' potential for the development of key facilities to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations and modernization priorities of the Philippine armed forces.
"The leaders, accompanied by high-ranking AFP and US armed forces officers, will conduct an extensive tour of the completed Edca projects at Basa Air Base. The tour will also provide an opportunity for the senior military officials to gain firsthand knowledge of the bases' potential for the development of key facilities to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations and modernization priorities of the AFP," Ileto said.
He added that the visits to the Edca sites highlight the continued partnership and collaboration between the Philippines and United States militaries in enhancing national defense capabilities, as well as the shared commitment to regional security and disaster response efforts.