AFP, US military use EDCA sites for flood relief

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro announced on Monday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is coordinating with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) to use Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites for relief efforts due to heavy rainfall and floods across the country.

On Tuesday, AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., acting on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive, activated EDCA sites as forward-operating hubs to support humanitarian aid and disaster response amid Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Crising and enhanced southwest monsoon.

These sites are being used as staging areas for prepositioning rescue equipment and consolidating relief goods in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, enabling a faster and more efficient response.

The AFP is also coordinating closely with USINDOPACOM to utilize shared facilities, transportation, and airlift assets for disaster response efforts.

Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized that leveraging EDCA sites highlights the commitment of the AFP to serve and protect the people during disasters, aligning with President Marcos's instructions.