Under the Lead Inspector General framework, the Inspectors General for the Department of Defense, Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development conduct oversight of and report on the overseas contingency operation "Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines" (OPE-P).
This quarter, the Philippine government initiated the process of withdrawing from the bilateral Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States effective August 9, 2020. This agreement facilitates the entry of U.S. military personnel and material into the Philippines. According to senior DoD officials, termination of the agreement would complicate future military cooperation between the two countries, including OPE-P. As discussed in this report, it is unclear if the agreement will ultimately be terminated and how the termination would affect OPE-P.
The Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development reported that they provided assistance to the Philippine government this quarter, both to support the COVID-19 response and to assist the 70,000 residents of the city of Marawi who have been displaced since the 2017 siege by ISIS affiliates. This quarter, the Philippine government closed the last remaining tent camps for former Marawi residents, who have since been moved to temporary shelters.
Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines Quarterly Report In-Brief January 1, 2020 - March 31, 2020