MANILA, Philippines — Top defense and security officials of the Philippines and the United States (US) met on Wednesday (Philippine time) to discuss the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) between the two nations as well as maritime domain awareness to combat “illegal and coercive” activities. 

In a readout, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Charles Brown met with key Philippine leaders: Security Advisor Eduardo Año, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff  Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in Manila.

 “The leaders discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen the alliance, including bilateral security assistance, utilization of EDCA agreed locations, and the importance of maritime domain awareness to counter illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities,” the readout reads. 

“The leaders also shared their assessments of the regional security environment, including recent events in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal, and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it added.

According to Dorsey, the two nations have upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific for over 70 years. 

In a separate statement also issued Wednesday, the US Department of Defense said Brown also visited a U.S. rotational access site designated as part of the EDCA, 

The sites are designed to strengthen combined training, exercises, and interoperability between the two countries.