MANILA, Philippines — Defense and armed forces groups from the Philippines, Australia, and Canada have carried out a maritime activity named “Exercise Alon” on Saturday, August 23, in the West Philippines Sea (WPS), west southwest of El Nido, Palawan.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Australian Defense Force, and Royal Canadian Navy, have deployed their warships, named Philippine Navy’s flagship BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), and the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH-332) respectively.
The maritime activity highlights helicopter cross-deck landings, personnel transfers via MH-60 Seahawk, rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), and ship-to-ship interoperability drills.
According to AFP, the drill contributed to reinforcing the dedication of the three nations to uphold freedom of navigation, enhance regional stability, and ensure collective maritime security.
“[It] reflects a shared resolve to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and reinforces the commitment of the Philippines, Australia, and Canada to promote freedom of navigation, regional stability, and collective maritime security,” the AFP said.
PH-Australia strong defense relationship
The joint sail follows the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting held in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles reiterated that defense collaboration is a crucial foundation of the Philippines-Australia strategic partnership.
Based on the joint statement released, they emphasized the importance of a “secure and stable Indo-Pacific region” where sovereignty is acknowledged, international law is followed, and nations carry out their rights “free from coercion.”
Teodoro and Marles also said that they are still working together to support international and regional maritime security while remaining committed to enhancing collaboration under existing agreements, such as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and the Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement (MLSA).
They expressed approval for “fresh collaboration on developing defense infrastructure in the Philippines,” initiatives that will “boost our joint capabilities, improve interoperability, and reinforce both bilateral and multilateral defense partnerships.”
Exercise Alon has become the premier bilateral exercise between Manila and Canberra, enhancing the Philippines' inaugural involvement in Australia’s sizable Talisman Sabre 2025 earlier this year.
For Australia, it represents the most extensive overseas military exercise in 2025, underscoring Canberra’s dedication to strengthening defense partnerships within the region.
Defense representatives have also pledged to convene once more next year for the 3rd Philippines and Australia Defense Ministers Meeting as both nations aim to strengthen their defense relationship further.
