Defense chief visits EDCA sites

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. has embarked on a series of visits to military bases and identified Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) locations to discuss security matters with local officials, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Arsenio Andolong said.

Teodoro's first stop was Cagayan. On Wednesday, August 9, he attended a town hall meeting in Calayan, hosted by Mayor Joseph Llopis and the Sangguniang Bayan. On the same day, the Defense chief traveled to Ilocos Norte to visit the headquarters of the 4th Marine "Makusug" Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps, in Camp Cape Bojeador.

Andolong said Teodoro talked to the troops and participated in the traditional Hollow Block Making for the Brigade's headquarters building.

The DND spokesman said Teodoro is expected to visit other military bases and EDCA sites in the next few weeks.

Five military sites were initially agreed upon by the Philippines and the United States under EDCA. These were Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan), Basa Air Base (Pampanga), Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu), Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija) and Lumbia Airport (Cagayan de Oro).

Last April, the Philippine government announced the four additional EDCA sites considered "suitable and mutually beneficial" for both the Philippines and the U.S.

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