Philippines seeks continuation of joint military drills with Australia

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday he will discuss with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the continuation of joint military drills between the two nations to "strengthen armed forces capabilities."

Marcos made the comments while watching joint war games by Filipino, Australian and American forces.

The dialogue will encompass broader common concerns amid the current geopolitical climate, the Philippines’ Presidential Communication Office said in a statement.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet next month during Prime Minister Albanese's visit to the Philippines.

Following his participation in the first Amphibious and Land Operations of the Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023 (ALON) at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui, Camp Artemio Ricarte, President Marcos said: “I think we would be discussing for sure also the continuation of this kind of joint exercise to increase the capabilities again of our (forces).”

He further stressed: “That’s certainly going to be part of the discussion that I will be having with the Prime Minister when he comes … to visit us here in the Philippines.”

The first ALON war games in northwestern Zambales province of the Philippines aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Marine Amphibious Ready Unit and strengthening the nation's coastal defense capabilities in collaboration with allies.

Around 2,200 troops from both nations participated in the joint exercises held in San Antonio, Zambales.

The exercise involved military hardware such as the Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning-II, naval support vessels, Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks, US Marine Corps plane V-22 Osprey, and Philippine Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles.