PH NEEDS US OKAY TO USE OWN TERRITORY—DND CHIEF

DEPARTMENT of National Defense Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro unwittingly confirmed the country first needs the approval of the United States before Filipinos can use their own territories that are hosting US military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), even during emergency situations.

In a news report released by mainstream media, GMA7 on July 21 based on the video statement of Teodoro released by Malacañang on the same day, Teodoro confirmed his conversation with General Romeo Brawner, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to “coordinate” with the USINDOPACOM (United States Indo-Pacific Command) for the assistance needed and the use of the EDCA sites to assist the victims of ‘Typhoon Crising’ which submerged major parts of the country, particularly in Luzon, which is hosting 5 of the 9 US military bases.

“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 makaresponde sa ating mga kababayan,” Teodoro was quoted as saying in the report.

(“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.”)

In a separate statement the following day, July 22, General Brawner said he has ordered the AFP’s unified commands and major services “to activate these sites as primary hubs for HADR (humanitarian and disaster response) operations.”

“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 approach.”

Brawner also confirmed Teodoro’s statement of the need to first “coordinate” with the US military, stating: “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.”

Preceding this, Brawner also justified the presence of US bases—despite being banned by the Philippine Constitution—claiming this “directly” benefit Filipinos: “The activation of EDCA sites for HADR is a clear demonstration of how our defense partnerships, particularly with the United States, directly benefit the Filipino people in times of calamity.”

Brawner, however, is silent if the Americans allowed the use of its military bases as temporary shelters for displaced civilians as his statement merely covers the prepositioning of relief goods and the use of military assets for HADR operations.

Prior to Brawner’s announcement, RTVM Malacañang released a video statement of Teodoro where he said that US defense secretary Pete Hegseth and INDOPACOM commander, Admiral Samuel John Paparo, decided to assist the Philippines.

Teodoro, whose loyalty to the country and citizenship remain under question over his Maltese citizenship, is part of President Marcos’ entourage during his latest visit to the United States from July 20 to July 22—while Typhoon Crising is devastating most of the country.

Marcos, Teodoro, and National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo M. Año, first met with Hegseth and top Pentagon officials before Marcos proceeded to the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump.

Brawner, however, is silent if the Americans allowed the use of its military bases as temporary shelters for displaced civilians as his statement merely covers the prepositioning of relief goods and the use of military assets for HADR operations.

Originally, the Philippines agreed to host 5 US military bases since the EDCA was signed in 2014—Antonio Bautista Airbase, Palawan; Basa Air Base, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Benito Ebuen Air Base, Cebu; and, Lumbia Air Base, Mindanao.

But under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his blind submission to the United States, 4 more US bases were added in 2023—Camilo Osias Naval Base, Sta. Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz, Gamu, Isabela’ Balabac Island, Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport, Cagayan.

In justifying the widening US military presence in the Philippines, President Marcos Jr. in 2023 also claimed the new US bases, especially in Luzon, would “boost” the country’s “disaster response.”

It now turned out that even in disaster situations, the country would first need American approval, according to Teodoro’s statement.