Brawner, US envoy, USAF chief to visit EDCA sites in Cagayan, Pampanga

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., United States Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Carlson and US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral John Aquilino will be visiting facilities within the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites located in Lal-lo Airport and Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan and in Basa Air Base, Pampanga tomorrow, Wednesday.

AFP Public Affairs chief Lt.Col. Enrico Gil Ileto said Brawner, Carlson and Aquilino will conduct an "extensive tour" at the completed EDCA projects in Basa Air Base, along with other high-ranking AFP and U.S. Armed Forces officers.

"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 HADR operations and modernization priorities of the AFP," Ileto told reporters on Tuesday.

After the visit, the Philippines and US delegations will attend the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board meeting at the Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday, 14 September.

Ileto said: "These underscore 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," while Brawner and Aquilino's visit to EDCA sites "signifies the commitment of both AFP and US Armed Forces to further strengthen its mutual cooperation."

This also ensures that both militaries are "prepared and well-equipped to respond to evolving security challenges and humanitarian crises," he added.

"The AFP looks forward to sharing insights from this visit and the MDB-SEB meeting, which together contribute to the enduring partnership between the two nations," Ileto said.