Latest news with #GilbertTeodoro
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP in talks with US to use EDCA sites for PH relief efforts, says Teodoro
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is already coordinating with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) to use the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites for relief efforts amid the heavy rainfall and floods across the country, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Monday. 'Ako po'y kausap si General Brawner, sa ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, at iko-coordinate din po niya ang mga kinakailangan na tulong sa USINDOPACOM upang magamit ang EDCA facilities at iba't-iba pang mga kagamitan na kinakailangan na katulong ng ating Armed Forces of the Philippines upang makarsponde sa ating mga kababayan,' said Teodoro in a video statement. ('I am talking with General Romeo Brawner and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and he is coordinating the assistance we need from USINDOPACOM so we could use the EDCA facilities and the equipment that the AFP needs to assist our countrymen.) Signed in 2014, EDCA grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to construct facilities, and pre-position equipment, aircraft and vessels, but rules out permanent basing. There are currently nine EDCA sites nationwide: Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan), Basa Air Base (Pampanga), Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija), Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu), Lumbia Air Base (Cagayan de Oro City), Naval Base Camilo Osias (Sta Ana, Cagayan), Lal-lo Airport (Lal-lo, Cagayan), Camp Melchor Dela Cruz (Gamu, Isabela), and in Balabac Island (Palawan). When the country was hit by Typhoon Kristine in October last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said EDCA sites should be maximized in the government's disaster response and relief efforts. The EDCA sites were eventually used in the government's disaster response efforts when a series of storms hit the country. Malacañang suspended classes and work in government offices in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan at 1 p.m. State weather bureau PAGASA said earlier in the day that the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will continue to bring rains over the country. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
India.com
16-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Brahmos from India, warships from Japan, Phillipines joins hands with this country to challenge China, the country is..., not US, UK
Brahmos from India, warships from Japan, Phillipines joins hands with this country to challenge China, the country is..., not US, UK In the recent times, South China Sea has become an area of contentions. Philippines, which is facing China's aggression, is now openly changing its policy. Philippines, which has been facing China's maritime bullying for a long time, is not going to retaliate now. It has taken one step after another which has caused China to lose ground. First it bought Brahmos missile and now it is secretly strengthening its military relations with Taiwan. On the other hand, it is giving a new edge to its navy by taking help of weapons from Japan. How is Taiwan helping Philippines? To compete with China, Philippines has now decided to befriend Taiwan. Philippines has now come out openly regarding Taiwan. According to the Taipei Times report, this strategy of Philippines is the result of deep concern about instability in the region. Philippines Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro said that Manila is now changing its strategy regarding Taiwan, although officially it still recognises Beijing under the One China policy. Should China be worried? According to the Taipei Times, the Philippines' defence cooperation with Taiwan has grown far beyond the level publicly expressed. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s new policy, the old ban on military and academic ties with Taiwan has been loosened. Earlier this year, academics from Philippine defence institutions participated in strategic discussions with Taiwan's top generals. In addition, the Philippines and Taiwanese coast guards also conducted joint patrols. Recently, Taiwan sent its observers to a trilateral military exercise involving the US, Japan and the Philippines. Analysts believe this was a response to China's maritime aggression. Philippines made another move For the first time since World War II, Japanwill provide six destroyers. Japan is preparing to give its 'Abukuma class' warship to the Philippines. Along with the 20 mm close-in weapon system, it is equipped with 76 mm cannons. Anti-submarine missiles and sonar are installed in it. The most important thing is their stealth design so that China's radar cannot detect them. This deal is not limited to just 'sending ships'. Japan will upgrade these warships according to the needs of the Philippines, provide training and also coordinate communication and radar systems.
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP: Pacific naval, marine, military leaders' meeting a 'show of unity'
The symposium co-hosted by the marine corps of the Philippines and United States in Manila is a "show of unity" with 30 other nations amid tensions involving China in the West Philippine Sea, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday. "The way I look at it, instead of looking at it as a show of force, for me this is a show of unity among like-minded nations, who get together for a common value and that is to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. Now the PALS 2025 is a part of a series of activities that we conduct bilaterally with the United States and with our partners multilaterally," said AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. in a press conference during the opening of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2025 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. "For instance, we just finished the Balikatan exercise this year. Yesterday, we closed the Salaknib exercise between the PH Army and the US army, and today we opened the PALS. Again, for me, it's a show of unity," he added. The PALS 2025, which will run until July 10, is participated by senior Marine Corps officers, naval infantry, and military leaders from allied and partner nations across the Indo-Pacific. The symposium is a face-to-face engagement among participants to boost cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region's amphibious and maritime community. "This iteration is an honor for the Philippines to host it, we want to get as much as takeaway as possible. And maybe some people might interpret it that way, but I would not want to detract from the importance that the participants will bring into their exchanges," said Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. This year's Balikatan annual joint military exercise between the Philippines and the US was held from April 21 to May 9. Some 17,000 troops were earlier expected to join, and engaged in a full battle exercise. When asked if such dialogues or exercises among allied nations are targeted against a certain nation, Teodoro replied: "If the shoe fits, that's their problem. If any nation is against international law, who wants to change it unilaterally, wants to transgress on the rights of another country then so be it." "I really don't know where this will end up. Insofar as I'm concerned, what is manageable to me now are stronger bilateral ties," the Philippine Defense chief added. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Korea Herald
18-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Arms agency chief discusses defense industry cooperation with Philippine defense chief
The head of the state arms procurement agency held talks with the Philippine defense chief and other officials in Manila this week to discuss expanding arms industry cooperation, officials said Tuesday. Seok Jong-gun, minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, met Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Monday, according to DAPA. The Philippines has introduced various South Korean-made weapons systems over the years, including FA-50 light attack aircraft, frigates and corvettes. Seok also held talks with Maj. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez, vice commander of the Philippine Air Force, DAPA said, noting that the Philippine Air Force said it is reviewing introducing more FA-50s. He also met the Philippines' Navy chief, Vice Adm. Jose Ma Ambrosio Quiatchon Ezpeleta, with the two sides expressing hopes for bilateral cooperation to expand to maintenance, repair and overhaul projects of naval ships, according to DAPA. (Yonhap)
