President Marcos arrived in Australia on Wednesday where he is expected to sign three agreements during his trip to Canberra and meet with Australian leaders.
The President, on board the PR001, landed in Canberra at 7:20 p.m. (4:20 pm Manila time).
He is set to address the Parliament of Australia today (Thursday) and provide his vision to strengthen the two nations’ commitments and vision for the future.
“As part of this visit, I will have the opportunity to address the Parliament of Australia and provide greater detail on the commitments that we place in this partnership and our vision for the future of the Philippines,” the President said in his departure speech.
“I will also have the opportunity to expand our wide-ranging cooperation with Australia through the formalization and signing of three (3) agreements,” President Marcos shared.
He, however, did not disclose any details on the three agreements.
President Marcos asserted that his visit to Canberra serves as a reciprocal gesture following Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s state visit and upon the invitation of Governor-General David Hurley.
He emphasized the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to bolstering the partnership and friendship with Australia.
The exchange follows Albanese’s trip to the Philippines in September last year, marking the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
President Marcos also noted the defense and security ties between the two nations, citing the successful implementation of Exercise Alon and the Maritime Cooperative Activity under the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia, a significant defense accord among the country’s alliances.
On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the President is also expected to float the current situation inside the West Philippine Sea.
Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy have reported signal jamming, communication interference, and sightings of Chinese Navy warships roaming inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
