New EDCA sites to make way for military infra modernization

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) locations will provide the military with the needed infrastructure in modernizing its forces.

"EDCA will give us the needed infrastructure to develop our force in line with our acquisition of modern equipment," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement Wednesday night.

The Philippines earlier named Naval Base Camilo Osias in Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lallo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan as additional EDCA locations.

The proposal to add additional EDCA locations was announced by the Philippines and US defense departments last February.

These new locations add to the five EDCA locations earlier picked by Manila and Washington D.C. -Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan de Oro City; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.

"The new EDCA sites are strategic in the AFP's thrust to strengthen its capacity to protect the people and the state, advance our national interests, and enhance the country's disaster response capability," Aguilar said.

He added that they will closely coordinate with our US counterpart to realize these objectives.

"We also appreciate the US' commitment to prioritize the needs of our local communities and hope to do our share of bringing our alliance closer than ever to the benefit of the Filipino people," Aguilar said.

Military gets R&R flight

Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-95 medium transport aircraft on Wednesday ferried 39 military personnel availing of their rest and recreation (R&R) period this Holy Week. These soldiers were deployed in Jolo and transported to Manila for their R&R, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the same aircraft also transported 13 troops from Isabela to Jolo for deployment. "The C-295 flight for R&R is part of the AFP's initiatives to continue boosting the morale and welfare of military personnel after their long months of deployment to areas away from their homes," Baclor said.

He added R&R privileges will help military personnel, especially those who worked under hazardous operations, to recuperate and be reunited with their families.

"With these privileges, the AFP continues to ensure the safety of its personnel as they continue to perform their mandated task of protecting the Filipino people and securing the state," Baclor said.

PH, India renew defense cooperation commitment

The Philippines and India have renewed their commitment to further enhancing their defense cooperation during the 4th Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and 2nd Service-to-Service (STS) Meeting held in New Delhi on March 31. In a statement Wednesday, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio

Andolong said the Philippine delegation to the JDCC was headed by the department’s Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo.

"Both co-chairs of the 4th JDCC meeting reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the 2006 Philippines-India Agreement

Concerning Defense Cooperation and underscored the importance of the annual convening of the JDCC and STS meetings," he said.

The two sides welcomed the possible deployment of a resident Indian defense attaché to Manila, and the elevation of the co-chairmanship of the JDCC to an undersecretary level as a manifestation of increasing bilateral defense relations.

"Before the 4th JDCC, delegations from AFP and Indian Armed Forces convened the 2nd STS meeting on 29 March 2023, where both armed forces discussed the list of activities to be included in the PhilippinesIndia Defense Engagement Plan for CY 2023-2025, reviewed the activities conducted since 2020, and other issues and concerns," Andolong said.

“During the 4th JDCC, the two cochairs welcomed the outcomes of the 2nd STS, particularly the discussions to further enhance maritime security collaboration and explore cooperation on cyber security, military medicine, electromagnetic spectrum, joint training, space security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.”

He said the Philippine and Indian delegations also shared best practices on their respective defense indigenization or self-reliant defense posture program, and updates on procurements and acquisitions.

India, meanwhile, shared its Act East Policy while the Philippines provided updates on the current security environment in the IndoPacific region.

"Both countries highlighted the importance of promoting an open and free Indo-Pacific region, upholding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws, and enhancing cooperation among like-minded countries in the region," Andolong said.

Under their multilateral cooperation, both sides reaffirmed their support for ASEAN Centrality, as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and for United Nations peace operations and missions.

"In closing, both countries expressed hope that efforts to increase defense and military relations will be sustained. The DND invited the Ministry of Defense of India to the 5th JDCC and 3rd STS meetings that the Philippines will host in 2024. Furthermore, the DND expressed support for India's current G20 Chairmanship," he said.

Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna deployed for PH Rise patrol

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday announced that the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), one of its most advanced and capable ships, has been deployed to patrol the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise) off the coast of Aurora.

"BRP Antonio Luna carried out maritime patrol to intensify naval presence in the Philippine Rise, the 13-million-hectare undersea volcanic ridge located east of Luzon," the ship's acting commanding officer, Commander Jim Aris Alagao, said in a statement.

The region is part of the country’s extended continental shelf, which is said to be abundant with natural resources, such as minerals and gas.

Alagao said the patrol is "part of the government's mandate to safeguard the country’s national maritime interests in the northern frontier."

"The PN will always continue to be at the forefront in protecting the country's maritime domain and interests, " he added.

The crew of BRP Antonio Luna on April 1 raised a new Philippine flag atop the highest peak of Mavulis Island in Batanes, the country's northernmost island and the first line of defense.

The flag raising was part of the PN's "Operation Bantay-Layag," which began on March 31 and will run for a month.

The event was the second ceremony to be held on the island since the pandemic broke out in 2020. The first flag-raising activity was held in April 2021.

The hoisted flag also symbolizes and asserts Philippine sovereignty over the island.

“Among others, FF-151 also assisted the troops in Mavulis in troubleshooting the island’s generator, as well as re-provisioned the troops with food and drinking water," Alagao said. (MNS)

DFA: 2+2 set next week; promoting reg'l security on agenda

The 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue between the Philippines and the United States is set on April 10 to 12, with steps to promote regional security on the agenda.

In a statement Wednesday, the DFA said the meeting aimed to reaffirm both nations’ commitment to advance common priorities as treaty allies.

Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Defense officer in charge

Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. will lead the delegation in Washington DC and will discuss “important global prosperity issues,” including energy security, strategic trade and investment cooperation, critical and emerging technologies and infrastructure, and supply chains.

The 2+2 will provide an opportunity to “substantively progress” in key areas of cooperation, including identifying concrete initiatives for promoting regional security, achieving mutual economic prosperity, modernizing the alliance, and countering terrorism and other transnational crimes, the DFA said.

This third iteration of the 2+2 comes after a seven-year hiatus since the second Ministerial Dialogue was held in 2016.

The US side will be led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III.

While in Washington DC, Manalo will also speak at the CSIS ASEAN Leadership Forum, where he will share his insights about a new era in the alliance.

The DFA said this would be in the context of the Philippines’ pursuit of its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its efforts to advance a more peaceful and prosperous region. (MNS)