CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City - The Philippines through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States through the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) enhanced its defense alliances through launching the Combined Coordination Center in a Groundbreaking Ceremony held today, here.
The event was graced by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Honorable Lloyd J Austin III; Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C Teodoro; and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr.
The CCC is envisioned to serve as a pivotal hub for defense collaboration between the AFP and USINDOPACOM, supporting coordinated Command and Control operations. The facility will also function as a key liaison platform for advancing interoperability, capacity-building, and modernization initiatives under the Mutual Defense Board Concept Plan.
In his remarks, General Brawner highlighted the CCC as a symbol of AFP’s commitment to peace and its enduring friendship with the U.S. “This center embodies our aspirations, a hub where innovation meets partnership, where we will train as one, we will plan as one, and we will respond as one. It will elevate our capabilities in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and maritime security, ensuring that we can act swiftly and effectively when the need arises.”
In his message, Secretary Austin emphasized the strategic importance of the CCC, “This center will enable real-time information sharing for a common operating picture, and it will help boost interoperability for many years to come. It will be a place where our forces can work side-by-side to respond to regional challenges.”
The establishment of the CCC underscores the shared commitment of the Philippines and the United States to uphold regional peace, stability, and security. It also serves as a tangible representation of the enduring alliance between the two nations, strengthening their ability to address evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo by: PFC Carmelotes/PAOAFP
