Latest news with #Brawner
GMA Network
11 minutes ago
- Business
- GMA Network
PH, Indian navies to hold first WPS joint sail
The Philippine Navy and Indian Navy are set to conduct its first joint maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday. In a statement, the AFP said "the joint activity will be the first of its kind in the West Philippine Sea—a region increasingly central to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific." Indian naval tanker INS Shakti made a port call at Pier 15 in Port Area, Manila on Thursday. "This is more than a ceremonial gesture. The presence of INS Shakti in Manila sends a powerful signal of solidarity, strength in partnership, and the energy of cooperation between two vibrant democracies in the Indo-Pacific," AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said. For the AFP, the visit of INS Shakti marks an enhancement of defense diplomacy as India continues to expand its naval engagements in Southeast Asia. Brawner commended the deepening defense ties between the two countries. He also reaffirmed the country's shared commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and a rules-based international order in one of the world's most geopolitically sensitive regions, according to the AFP. The AFP's announcement comes days ahead of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to the Republic of India from August 4 to 8. Last February, Reuters quoted Indian sources as saying that India expects to sell short-range missiles to the Philippines this year in a deal worth more than $200 million. The Akash missile system, developed by India's defense research body, has drawn interest from the Philippines, which has told New Delhi it would make an order in the fiscal year that begins in April, said three sources. The deal would follow India's $375-million sale of the mid-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in 2022. The missile system was delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps in April 2024, while the ground system was sent a month earlier. The purchase comes at a time when Manila is building its military strength as tension escalates with Beijing on overlapping claims in the busy waterway of the South China Sea, where the two have clashed in recent years. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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
