CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Chief of Staff, AFP (CSAFP) General Andres C Centino PA, continued visiting various locations of the ongoing 38th PH-US Balikatan Exercises in Northern Luzon on April 18.
The CSAFP was accompanied by LtGen Stephen Parreño, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, and LtGen Fernyl Buca, Commander of Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), with other senior staff of the AFP General Headquarters.
They first visited Lal-lo Airfield in Cagayan, one of the Balikatan Field Training Exercises (FTX) staging areas in Northern Luzon. They were welcomed by Col. Sadiri Tabutol, Commander of the Tactical Operations Group 2.
The CSAFP and his delegation were briefed on the ongoing projects in the airfield, in line with its development as one of the agreed locations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) as a prime site for the AFP's territorial defense and humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.
The CSAFP visit to Northern Luzon included the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 (MBLT10) of the Philippine Marine Corps at the Naval Base Camilo Osias, San Vicente, Sta Ana, Cagayan. 4th Marine Brigade commander, BGen Vicente Mark Anthony Blanco III PN(M); commanding officer of MBLT-10, Ltc Rodel Pacifico Nono PN(M); and 3rd Littoral Logistics Battalion led by Ltc Mark Lenzi USMC welcomed the CSAFP and his party.
The visiting delegation later proceeded to the 5th Infantry Division (5ID), Philippine Army in Gamu, Isabela. BGen Danilo Benavides PA, the Assistant Division Commander, BGen Santiago Enginco PA, commander of 503rd Inf Bde, and Maj Joe Van Deusen of 25th ID, US Army warmly welcomed the CSAFP and his party in Camp Melchor Dela Cruz.
The Naval Base Camilo Osias in San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and the 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela, are also included among the four (4) additional EDCA sites recently announced by the government.
During his talk, the CSAFP encouraged the troops under the Northern Luzon Command to maximize the exercises' opportunities and engagement with the US counterparts. "It is important that we realize that if we work together with our friends and allies, we will be stronger. Therefore, make the most of these exercises," said the CSAFP./// (Photo by Pfc Carmelotes PN(M))
