Latest news with #Brawner
GMA Network
22-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
EDCA sites activated as relief hubs amid Crising, Habagat
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites with the United States will now act as "relief efforts hubs" amid the impact of Tropical Cyclone Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. In a statement on Tuesday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said he has ordered the activation of the EDCA sites as forward operating hubs for humanitarian aid. 'I have ordered our Unified Commands and Major Services to activate these sites as primary hubs for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations,' Brawner said. 'This activation includes the strategic prepositioning of our rescue assets and the consolidation of relief goods, which we are undertaking in close partnership with the DSWD to ensure a synchronized, whole-of-nation effort,' he added. Brawner made the move following the direct instruction of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. through Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. According to him, the activation of EDCA sites will speed up the delivery of assistance to the victims. US Indo-Pacific Command The AFP is coordinating with the US Indo-Pacific Command on the use of the EDCA sites for the relief efforts. 'We are in close coordination with the US Indo-Pacific Command to ensure seamless interoperability as we utilize these shared facilities and other transportation and airlift assets for this vital purpose,' Brawner said. 'The AFP is leveraging every available advantage, including our strong alliances and strategic infrastructure, to fulfill our most sacred mandate: to serve and protect our people. The use of EDCA sites is not just a logistical decision; it is a commitment to bringing aid and comfort to our kababayans with all possible speed and efficiency,' he added. Six people were reported dead due to Crising, Habagat, and the low pressure area (LPA), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday. A total of 1,266,322 persons or 362,465 families were affected by the bad weather in all regions in the country except for Eastern Visayas. Floods, landslides, collapsed structures, and tornadoes were reported in the affected areas.—VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- 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
Filipino Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
AFP updates crisis plan for OFWs in Middle East
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ramping up its crisis preparedness to ensure the swift evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East, following the death of a Filipina caregiver caught in the recent Iranian missile attack on Israel. AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has activated its contingency protocols and is closely coordinating with other government agencies in case a mass evacuation becomes necessary. 'Meron po tayong mga contingency plan. Ang tawag po natin dito ay non-combatant evacuation operation,' Brawner said. The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed the death of Leah Mosquera from Negros Occidental due to the injuries she suffered after an Iranian missile hit her apartment. Brawner emphasized that the AFP is prepared to deploy its air and naval assets, including C-130 planes and military vessels, should the government decide to repatriate Filipinos in harm's way. He also directed AFP units to update existing evacuation plans to reflect the current security landscape, which has become increasingly volatile. 'Matagal na po nating ginagawa ito. Noong nakaraang dekada, noong nagkaroon ng problema po sa Middle East, ay nagpadala tayo ng dalawang barko na sunduin 'yung mga Pilipino na gustong umuwi po sa ating bansa,' the AFP chief said.
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP ready to evacuate Pinoys amid Middle East conflict —Brawner
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has a contingency plan for the possible evacuation of Filipinos amid the tension in the Middle East, its chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr., said on Tuesday. Brawner made the statement following the death of a Filipina caregiver in Israel due to injuries after an Iranian missile attack. 'Meron po tayong mga contingency plan. Ang tawag po natin dito sa operation na ito is non-combatant evacuation operation,' Brawner said in an ambush interview. (We have contingency plans. What we call this operation is a non-combatant evacuation operation.) 'Nakahanda rin po ang Armed Forces, nakahanda yung ating mga C-130, yung ating mga barko, just in case na kailanganin po na i-evacuate ulit 'yung ating mga kababayan pabalik dito sa ating bansa,' he added. (The Armed Forces, our C-130s, and our ships are also ready just in case it is necessary to evacuate our countrymen back to our country.) In the past decade, Brawner said the Philippines had evacuated Filipinos from the Middle East. 'Matagal na po nating ginagawa ito. Noong nakaraang dekada, noong nagkaroon ng problema po sa Middle East, ay nagpadala tayo ng dalawang barko na sunduin 'yung mga Pilipino na gustong umuwi po sa ating bansa,' he added. (We have been doing this for a long time. Last decade, when there was a problem in the Middle East, we sent two ships to pick up Filipinos who wanted to return to our country.) Aside from this, Brawner said he instructed AFP personnel to revisit and update their plan as well as prepare their platforms, including aircraft and ships. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) earlier expressed its condolences to the relatives of the Filipina caregiver who died in Israel after an Iranian missile attack. "The DMW deeply mourns the passing of OFW caregiver Leah Mosquera, a victim of an Iranian missile attack on the City of Rehovot, Israel last 15 June 2025," the DMW said. "We extend our deepest sympathy to Ms. Mosquera's family. Truly, OFW Leah's dedication and quiet heroism embody the strength and sacrifices of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who carry the hopes and dreams of their families, their communities, and our nation," it added. Mosquera, 49 and a native of Negros Occidental, underwent several surgeries at Shamir Medical Center and "fought for her life" in the intensive care unit for several weeks, according to the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv. Iran's offensive against Israel was in response to Tel Aviv's Operation Rising Lion, which is a military action supposed to deter or eradicate Tehran's nuclear program. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
AFP launches offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday reaffirmed its dedication to national sovereignty and defense modernization as it launched the offshore patrol vessel BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS-20) in Ulsan, South Korea on Wednesday. In a statement, the AFP said the launching ceremony was attended by AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) chief operating officer and senior executive vice president Joo Won Ho. The event showed the strong partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in enhancing maritime security and self-reliant defense capabilities, according to the AFP. Brawner, in his remarks, pointed out the strategic importance of the launch, especially its role in advancing the Philippines' maritime defense. 'The launch of Offshore Patrol Vessel No. 1, the BRP Rajah Sulayman, is not merely the unveiling of a new ship—it is a bold declaration of our commitment to maritime security and the defense of our sovereignty,' Brawner said. 'This vessel marks a new chapter for the Philippine Navy, reflecting our resolve to enhance our operational capabilities and extend our presence across our vast maritime domain,' he added. According to the AFP, its new asset was named after a fearless native leader, Rajah Sulayman, who stood firm against foreign conquest in pre-colonial times. The AFP said BRP Rajah Sulayman is a modern emblem of the Filipino people's resilience, courage, and unyielding spirit of independence. 'As the nation honors its past, the AFP remains steadfast in shaping a future where freedom is not only celebrated but vigilantly safeguarded,' the AFP said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
