Latest news with #EnhancedDefenseCooperationAgreement
GMA Network
2 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
US aircraft ready to support AFP disaster relief ops — PAF
A PAF Black Hawk helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing transported boxes of food packs and sacks of relief supplies to a typhoon-stricken village in Abra province on July 27, 2025. PHOTO: PAF The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Monday confirmed the presence of U.S. military aircraft in the country to assist in disaster response operations, even as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intensified efforts to assist typhoon-hit communities. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft from the US have been committed to support humanitarian aid and disaster response (HADR) missions, though their deployment will depend on the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which leads national disaster coordination and identifies priority areas. 'As far as the information that we got, yes—there are aircraft committed by the United States to help in our HADR efforts,' Castillo said in an ambush interview at Camp Aguinaldo. 'They include both rotary and fixed-wing assets currently positioned at one of our air bases for ready deployment.' According to the PAF, the OCD will pinpoint the areas of great concern, with the utilization of US assets following its direction. 'We cannot say how long they will stay, but they are here and committed to help,' Castillo said. Meanwhile, the AFP has already mobilized resources to assist those affected by recent typhoons, particularly in Northern Luzon and other vulnerable regions. As of July 28, the AFP has deployed 50 Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) Teams composed of 445 personnel, primarily under the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM). These teams are supporting operations in provinces that include Abra, Antique, and Batanes. To transport relief supplies and evacuate stranded residents, the AFP has mobilized 51 KM trucks for ground transport, six Black Hawk helicopters, and one C-130 cargo aircraft, which was scheduled to transport 151 stranded individuals from Batanes to Manila on July 29, weather permitting. Beyond immediate response teams, the AFP maintains a nationwide posture for sustained operations: 1,113 SRR teams with over 12,455 personnel, 988 land mobility assets, 47 Philippine Air Force aircraft, and 25 Philippine Navy vessels positioned across various commands. The ongoing cooperation with the United States, including the arrival of U.S. Marine Corps aircraft, reflects continuing bilateral defense ties and the shared commitment to humanitarian and disaster relief, one of the focus areas under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). — RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Filipino Times
U.S. provides ₱13.8 million aid to boost PH flood relief operations
The United States government has pledged approximately ₱13.8 million in aid to support the Philippine government's ongoing response to recent flooding caused by successive storms and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat). In a statement on Friday, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines said the assistance will be delivered through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). 'This funding, provided through the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, will support government relief operations by facilitating the transport of food to flood-affected communities in Metro Manila, Northern and Central Luzon, and Calabarzon,' the Embassy said. Monsoon rains intensified by multiple tropical cyclones over the past week have left at least 30 people dead, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines was seeking U.S. assistance in distributing over three million prepositioned relief packs located at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the country. 'We are tracking the devastation caused by the storms and floods and are deeply concerned for all those affected,' U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said. 'The U.S. Embassy's interagency team is coordinating closely with the Philippine government and the WFP to ensure aid reaches those in need,' she added.
The Diplomat
6 days ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
What Marcos Got From His Meeting With President Trump
The Philippine president has come under fire for opening the country to U.S. imports without getting much in return. The United States has announced that it will lower its tariff rate for the Philippines from 20 percent to 19 percent. In exchange, the Philippines will open its market to the U.S. and some U.S. goods like automobiles will have a zero tariff rate. This is what U.S. President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform after meeting Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. at the White House. Marcos confirmed this in a media briefing and immediately assured the public that the deal would benefit the Philippine economy. 'Now, one percent might seem like a very small concession,' he said. 'However when you put it in real terms, it is a significant achievement.' The Philippine ambassador to the U.S. added that the tariff reduction announcement would lead to more trade negotiations. 'The lowering of tariff to 19 percent is a good deal for the moment, but there is still more that we can do and that there will still be more discussions ahead,' he said. The Philippines was initially given a 17 percent tariff rate before Trump raised it to 20 percent. Marcos flew to the U.S. with the intention of negotiating for a better trade agreement by banking on the good relations of the two countries. Since becoming president in 2022, Marcos has allowed the establishment of four more U.S. military facilities in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). He has expanded the joint military exercises involving the U.S. and its allies in the region. He also agreed to the deployment of U.S.-made Typhon and other missile systems in the Philippines. Before the Marcos-Trump meeting, Philippine defense officials reported the establishment of a U.S. naval repair facility in Palawan province and an ammunition factory at Subic Bay, a former U.S. military base. News of the results of the trade negotiations angered several Philippine legislators. Act Teachers Partylist Representative Tonchi Tinio described Marcos's trip to the U.S. as a 'disastrous humiliation ritual.' Senator Ping Lacson said 'it is the worst insult that a host can throw at his guest.' He added, 'it is time for us to look for other trade partners.' Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri compared the one percent tariff rate reduction to the more favorable terms Japan got from Trump. 'If the United States truly sees us as a treaty ally, we should be accorded the same level of mutual respect in trade policy,' he said. He also mentioned that Indonesia was given a similar trade concession. 'We have a similar trade arrangement with Indonesia, which is not even a treaty ally and does not host U.S. forces or EDCA sites,' he said in a statement. 'The least we could have done was to negotiate terms on par with what Japan enjoys, a fellow U.S. treaty ally.' Senator Francis Pangilinan is worried that the zero tariff for U.S. goods will gravely affect local producers. 'If implemented without careful consideration, a zero tariff policy will disadvantage our farmers and fisherfolk, and put in peril our work toward food security and national development.' But House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, enjoined the public to rally behind the gains made by the president. 'Access to the U.S. market is a game-changer,' he asserted. 'What matters is that President Marcos secured a seat at the table, and the terms of engagement can be shaped from here.' Marcos' arrival statement mentioned the trade and security deals he clinched in the U.S., including investment pledges that would create jobs and livelihood opportunities, but there was no mention of the tariff rate reduction and the zero tariff he offered to the United States. Perhaps details of the trade negotiations and other important matters that transpired during his meeting with Trump will be released in the next few days, leading up to his fourth state of the nation address on July 28. It is not just the tariff deal that Marcos has to explain to the public. The more serious problem facing the country at the moment is the flooding disaster in the capital region and nearby provinces. Several cities are still submerged in floods, with disgruntled citizens asking about the flood control projects mentioned by Marcos in his state of the nation address last year. Marcos was unable to directly oversee the disaster response of the government in the past few days since he was on an official visit to the United States to meet with Trump. Some critics are wondering if the trip he made was really worthwhile since he got a measly tariff deal despite giving away substantial concessions.
GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, China tackle consular issues, safety of nationals in Beijing meeting
'Law enforcement is one of the areas where bilateral cooperation can continue to flourish and where information-sharing on law enforcement can be further strengthened,' said Mendoza-Oblena, who met her Chinese counterpart, Director-General for Consular Affairs Long Zhou. Senior diplomats from the Philippines and China met in Beijing this week to tackle pressing concerns involving their respective citizens in each other's territory. After six years, Manila and Beijing resumed their Joint Consular Consultation on July 22 in the Chinese capital, where they discussed the "safety, rights, and welfare of their respective nationals, as well as law enforcement cooperation, trade and investment, and tourism," the Philippine embassy in China said Wednesday. 'Our relations have faced challenges, but we continue to cooperate in protecting our nationals and persist in aspiring for more people-to-people exchanges,' said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena, head of the Philippine delegation. Both sides acknowledged the ongoing cooperation in addressing transnational and other crimes in their countries, including illegal gambling, but the embassy declined to say, when sought for comment, if the case of the three Filipinos who were arrested last year in China on suspicion of espionage was discussed. There was also no mention of China's recent travel warning urging Chinese students considering enrolling in Philippine schools to exercise caution due to an unstable security situation in the country. Manila protested China's advisory, calling it "incorrect, inaccurate" and a "mischaracterization" of the situation in the Philippines. Several lawmakers and groups have raised concerns about the influx of Chinese students in the northern Philippine province of Cagayan, which hosts two military bases that can be used by American troops under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between Manila and Washington. It was not clear how many Chinese nationals are enrolled in Philippine schools, but previous media reports said the number could be between 400 to 4,600. The Chinese embassy could not confirm this. 'Law enforcement is one of the areas where bilateral cooperation can continue to flourish and where information-sharing on law enforcement can be further strengthened,' said Mendoza-Oblena, who met her Chinese counterpart, Director-General for Consular Affairs Long Zhou. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2024 ordered the banning of widespread Chinese-run online gaming operations in the Philippines, accusing some of venturing into crimes including money scams, human trafficking, kidnappings, torture, and murder. While some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGO have decreased over the months, dozens continue to operate on a smaller scale across the country and have evolved into scam centers. The embassy said Philippine and Chinese officials highlighted the importance or engagement through the consular dialogue "to achieve improvements in managing consular cases which facilitate people-to-people relationships." –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
EDCA sites activated as relief hubs amid Crising, Habagat
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites with the United States will now act as "relief efforts hubs" amid the impact of Tropical Cyclone Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. In a statement on Tuesday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said he has ordered the activation of the EDCA sites as forward operating hubs for humanitarian aid. 'I have ordered our Unified Commands and Major Services to activate these sites as primary hubs for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations,' Brawner said. 'This activation includes the strategic prepositioning of our rescue assets and the consolidation of relief goods, which we are undertaking in close partnership with the DSWD to ensure a synchronized, whole-of-nation effort,' he added. Brawner made the move following the direct instruction of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. through Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. According to him, the activation of EDCA sites will speed up the delivery of assistance to the victims. US Indo-Pacific Command The AFP is coordinating with the US Indo-Pacific Command on the use of the EDCA sites for the relief efforts. 'We are in close coordination with the US Indo-Pacific Command to ensure seamless interoperability as we utilize these shared facilities and other transportation and airlift assets for this vital purpose,' Brawner said. 'The AFP is leveraging every available advantage, including our strong alliances and strategic infrastructure, to fulfill our most sacred mandate: to serve and protect our people. The use of EDCA sites is not just a logistical decision; it is a commitment to bringing aid and comfort to our kababayans with all possible speed and efficiency,' he added. Six people were reported dead due to Crising, Habagat, and the low pressure area (LPA), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday. A total of 1,266,322 persons or 362,465 families were affected by the bad weather in all regions in the country except for Eastern Visayas. Floods, landslides, collapsed structures, and tornadoes were reported in the affected areas.—VAL, GMA Integrated News
