MANILA, Philippines — Newly-designated US Indo-Pacific Command Chief Admiral Samuel Paparo visited the Basa Air Base in Pampanga, upgraded under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement on Thursday that Paparo, accompanied by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited the facilities within the air base on Wednesday, under the Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB).

Top defense and military officials are slated to hold the MDB-SEB meeting in Baguio City to discuss pressing defense and security matters, to include China's aggressive and coercive actions in the WPS.

The MDB-SEB underscores the ongoing commitment of the Philippines and the United States to strengthen defense ties and uphold the principles of international law in the Indo-Pacific region.

At present, the Philippines gave the US nine EDCA sites around the country. The US had reportedly asked the Philippine government for additional EDCA sites but officials have not yet acceded to the request.

Trinidad said Filipino and American military officials focused their inspections on enhancing the operational capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and promoting joint interoperability between the two armed forces.

Basa Air Base, one of the sites designated under the EDCA, is equipped with upgraded infrastructure as part of the Philippine military's modernization efforts and contributes to the overall security and defense posture in the region.

"The improvements in our facilities at Basa Air Base demonstrate our commitment to strengthening our defense capabilities and ensuring that our forces are prepared to respond to any security challenge,"Brawner said.

"These developments are vital in our pursuit of a modern and credible defense force that can effectively safeguard our nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.