Rodriguez assures public: No need to panic over US troops in Lumbia air base

Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez assured the public that there is no cause for alarm following reports of the presence of American soldiers at Lumbia Airbase, one of the nine sites identified under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The matter was raised by Councilor Edgar Cabanlas in his special report amid heightened public concern and active social media conversations among city residents, particularly in light of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Cabanlas reported that, based on information from the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the presence of U.S. troops is temporary and focused on humanitarian efforts and does not have anything to do with the conflict in the Middle East.

Rodriguez emphasized that the local government is closely monitoring the situation.

“The LGU is on top of everything,” he said.

He further explained that the presence of American troops is part of joint training exercises focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

“Let me reiterate to our dearest Kagay-anons—you don’t have to panic,” Rodriguez concluded. (JDO/SP)