MANILA, Philippines – The United States and the Philippines discussed the importance of “domain awareness” in a phone call between the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. on Tuesday (Feb. 11).

In a readout provided by Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey, it mentioned that Gen. Brown and Gen. Brawner discussed military modernization initiatives, Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, and the increasing scope and capacity of joint exercises in the Philippines.

Additionally, Gen. Brown emphasized the importance of domain awareness in their exclusive economic zone, the readout stated.

“The U.S. continues to closely partner with the Philippines and remains committed to maintaining a strong alliance founded upon shared strategic interests and democratic values,” the readout added.

Domain awareness is defined by having the “operational knowledge” of a particular area or sphere of concern; to be able to protect the security, safety, the economy and environment of a country or state.

Benefits of domain awareness can improve resource management, streamline operations, track and defeat threats and have response strategies in any given circumstance.

Without giving further details, reports suggests that the AFP has close coordination with allies for assistance on monitoring the presence of threats within the country’s EEZ, such as the U.S. Task Force Ayungin, and the use of an unmanned drone by the military’s Western Command.