United States (US) Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider has been in the country to visit several Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites and Philippine Air Force (PAF) bases.
According to PAF Spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, General Schneider will visit EDCA project sites in Pampanga, Palawan, Cebu, and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro.
The visit was scheduled after the meeting between Schneider and PAF Commanding General Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura where the strengthening of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and the improvement of the country’s defense, were discussed.
The two officials also discussed the strengthening of interoperability between the US and Philippine Air Force, as well as the importance of joint exercises and training programs to strengthen the operational capabilities of both forces.
Schneider’s visit to the Philippines follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement to temporarily stop providing financial aid to other countries.
The 90-day suspension of US aids to other countries was ordered pending the status review of the programs to which the funds were allocated.
(PAF Photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.