AUSTRALIAN Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles is due to meet with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr on Friday to discuss ways to deepen defense cooperation between the two nations, a media advisory from the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.
The meeting takes place as Australian troops are training with Filipino troops in various sites in Luzon under the “Alon” exercise.
The 15-day exercise, which opened last Friday, includes a maritime strike in San Vicente in Palawan and a combined arms live fire exercise-close air support in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
The DND said Marles and Teodoro are scheduled to meet at a hotel in Makati City.
The Australian defense ministry said Marles will visit Australian troops taking part in the Alon exercise, which it described as Australia’s “largest overseas joint training activity this year.”
“I look forward to meeting Secretary Teodoro in Manila to discuss ways to deepen Australia-Philippines defense cooperation; by building capacity and strengthening interoperability,” Marles said in a statement.
Australia and the Philippines signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in 2007. The agreement provides a legal framework for the conduct of military exercises.
“Our cooperation through Exercise Alon reflects a shared commitment to working together to maintain a peaceful, secure and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected.
Philippine Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said their FA-50 fighter jets held air combat tactics and basic fighter maneuvers, with EA-18 Growlers of the Royal Australian Air Force last Tuesday under the Alon exercise.
“These combined air operations showcased the PAF’s advancing air combat proficiency and reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing joint interoperability with allies and partners,” said Castillo.
Castillo said the exercise is meant to “deepen defense cooperation, enhance interoperability, and strengthen joint capabilities in addressing shared security challenges in the region.”
“It also underscores the growing Philippines-Australia strategic partnership, with defense and security as vital pillars,” Castillo also said.
