CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, lauded the progress of projects under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) during their visit to Cagayan on September 13.
Accompanied by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, they inspected Lal-lo Airport and Naval Base Camilo Osias in Cagayan, as well as Basa Air Base in Pampanga, where EDCA sites are located.
“The work that [General Brawner’s] team has done in coordination with our team to further advance capabilities here in the Philippines is truly impressive. We're very pleased. I was here a year ago, and the progress of the runway and all the sites is moving at a great pace, thanks to our strong partnership,” Admiral Aquilino said.
The CSAFP also expressed optimism that more of the projects will become operational by next year to support joint exercises and operations.
“We are very pleased with the progress of these projects, and we are highly optimistic that next year, more of these projects will be operational, allowing us to engage in joint exercises and operations immediately,” General Brawner Jr. said.
Both emphasized that all EDCA sites are sovereign Philippine territory and added that all future projects will undergo vetting by the Philippine government for consideration in future operations and mutual benefit. ///
