On Wednesday, October 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the maximization of all Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites for the relief and rescue operations in areas affected by Tropical Storm Kristine.
During the situation briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Marcos said that he wanted the full use of EDCA sites for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) activities and airlift operations.
Additionally, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa confirmed that the medical team from the United States (US) had already arrived in the country. They are also prepared for deployment to the Bicol Region and Central Luzon.
Moreover, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. assured that all aircrafts have been alerted, and have already coordinated with their US counterparts. Multinational Coordination Centers will also be established, in case other countries would volunteer to help in the operations.
Defense Secretary GIlberto Teodoro said that they are reaching out to nearby ASEAN countries like Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
In an ambush interview, the President said that they will activate the EDCA sites in response to the effects of Tropical Storm Kristine.
“The AFP is also continuing to monitor the situation, so that we will be able to activate the EDCA sites which were put specifically for this purpose,” Marcos said.
