Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles on Sunday witnessed large-scale joint military drills in Palawan under Exercise ALON 2025.
They described the display of combined force as “impressive” and a testament to deepening defense ties between Manila and Canberra.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. joined the defense chiefs in observing the Combined Joint Forcible Entry Operations (CJFEO) along Long Beach in San Vicente, Palawan.
The exercise featured the integration of Philippine and Australian amphibious forces supported by naval, air, and ground units. It demonstrated coordinated naval gunfire, amphibious assaults, and maritime strike missions designed to secure key littoral terrain.
“This is a new venue and you saw that the coordination between both the Australian and the Philippine forces was smooth,” Teodoro told reporters. “We hope to be able to logisticize and think of new scenarios as it evolves.”
The Philippine defense chief emphasized that the drills required extensive preparation, underscoring the importance of readiness for both combat and humanitarian operations.
“Things like this are done with advanced planning, with the realization that in a moment’s notice, let’s say for a typhoon or for whatnot, we may have to operate together,” Teodoro said.
Marles echoed his Filipino counterpart’s remarks, emphasizing that the joint drills are crucial for interoperability and regional stability.
“This exercise is about building the interoperability between two countries which share values and have one intent — to uphold the rules-based order in this region,” he said.
The defense leaders also observed an airfield seizure operation, highlighting the ability of Philippine and Australian forces to operate jointly in complex environments.
Running from August 15 to 29, Exercise ALON 2025 brings together about 3,600 personnel from the AFP, Australian Defence Force, United States Marine Corps, and the Royal Canadian Navy.
The exercise also incorporates cyber resilience, special operations integration, civil-military engagements, and public affairs cooperation.
Representatives from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia are participating as international observers, reflecting broad support for regional defense cooperation.
First held in 2023, Exercise ALON — derived from the Filipino word for “wave” — symbolizes the Philippines’ commitment to interoperability, collective security, and regional partnership.
Teodoro and Marles last Friday convened the 2nd Philippines–Australia Defense Ministers Meeting, reaffirming their pledge to enhance bilateral defense cooperation and strengthen regional security initiatives.
