Brawner, US Indopacom chief visit EDCA site Basa Air Base in Pampanga

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. and US Indo-Pacific Command chief General Samuel Paparo visited Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on Wednesday to oversee the upgrades in the facilities. 

The visit was made to check the improvements and upgrades for the enhancement of the operations of the Philippine Air Force. 

"The improvements in our facilities at Basa Air Base demonstrate our commitment to strengthening our defense capabilities and ensuring that our forces are prepared to respond to any security challenge," said Brawner in a statement as the two officials take part in the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board Meeting.  

"These developments are vital in our pursuit of a modern and credible defense force that can effectively safeguard our nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity."  

Basa Air Base, one of the country's nine EDCA sites, has been equipped with various infrastructure upgrades and facilities to support the Philippine military’s modernization efforts. 

Signed in 2014, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the US grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, allowing them to build facilities and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News