(UPDATE) 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. The DND spokesman said Teodoro is expected to visit other military bases and EDCA sites in the next few weeks. 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 US. Both officials pledged to fast-track pending defense initiatives, such as the conclusion of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

Source: Manila Times August 10, 2023 16:37 UTC