The Philippines and Australia on Monday rolled off their inaugural bilateral amphibious military exercise designated as “Alon” (translated as “Waves”).
This initiative comes amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea due to China’s persistent assertiveness in disputed waters.
Lt. Colonel Enrico Ileto, the Chief of the Public Affairs Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, conveyed that the military exercises were inaugurated with a formal ceremony held on the Fight Deck of HMAS Canberra.
This Australian vessel is under the command of Air Commander Tony McCormack, who heads the Indo-Pacific Endeavor (IPE) 2023.
For the execution of these drills, 111 troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines were dispatched to Australia.
Ileto highlighted that the IPE program stands as Australia’s foremost international engagement venture in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean realm. Its primary aim is to fortify security, stability, and partnerships through comprehensive bilateral and multilateral training, capacity reinforcement, and humanitarian initiatives.
“The central objective of this exercise is to elevate interoperability and facilitate the exchange of tactics, techniques, procedures, and exemplary approaches in the execution of amphibious operations,” Ileto articulated.
At the beginning of this year, Richard Marles, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, pledged unwavering support for the Philippines in terms of jointly conducting patrols in the West Philippine Sea.
Marles underscored, “(We are) also actively exploring avenues for expanded joint exercises.” (ai/mnm)
