MANILA, Philippines- Kumpiyansa si Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. na may maraming proyekto sa Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites sa United States ang magiging operational sa sunod na taon.
Sa pagbisita niya sa EDCA sites sa Basa Air Base sa Pampanga nitong Miyerkules, sinabi ni Brawner na masaya ang Philippine military sa development ng mga kasalukuyang proyekto.
“We’re also very happy that we saw the development of the EDCA sites. We went all the way to Lal-lo in Cagayan and Sta. Ana and this time we’re here in Basa Air Base. We’re also very happy at the rate that the development of these EDCA projects have been going,” aniya.
“We’re very optimistic that for next year, we will have more of these projects operational so that we can work on our joint exercises right away and also our joint operations,” dagdag ng opiyal.
Inihayag naman ni US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral John Aquilino na mabilis ang developments sa EDCA projects.
“The work that his team has done in coordination with our team to further advance the capabilities here in the Philippines, I am really impressed with the work of the team. So I’m very happy,” wika niya.
“I was here a year ago. The advance of the runway and all of the sites is moving at great speed and it’s only because of the great partnership,” dagdag ni Aquilino.
Inilahad ni AFP public affairs office chief Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Ileto na iprinisenta ng Philippine military ang proposed projects para sa EDCA sites sa US counterpart nito.
Ayon sa kanya, ang US military ay “very positive” ukol sa mga inilatag na proyekto.
“Narinig ng ating mga kaibigang Amerikano kung ano iyong mga proposals natin at I believe ia-assess nila iyon kung paano nila mapopondohan, kailan ito puwedeng simulan at malagyan natin ng timeline,” sabi ng opisyal.
“Very positive ang naging sagot nila kanina,” patuloy niya.
Binisita ng Philippine at US military officials nitong Miyerkules ang EDCA sites sa Lal-lo Airport at Naval Base Camilo Osias sa Cagayan; at Basa Air Base sa Pampanga. RNT/SA
