During the Philippines-Australia "Alon" joint exercise, the Philippines, Australia, and Canada conducted a joint navigation in the South China Sea
The Philippine, Australian, and Canadian navies conducted a joint navigation in the South China Sea on Tuesday, August 19. The Philippine frigate "Rizal," the Australian destroyer "Brisbane," and the Canadian frigate "Quebec City" participated in this operation.
According to Reuters, this operation started on Sunday near the eastern Mindoro province in the western part of the Philippines and will end at Palawan Island, as part of the ongoing military exercises between the Philippines and Australia.
Philippine military officials stated that the operation does not target any country. Colonel Dennis Fernandez said at a press conference that the joint navigation was conducted within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and the premise of the operation is: "The exercises are based on a free and open Indo-Pacific region that will achieve peace and prosperity."
Australia and the Philippines launched their largest joint military exercise on Friday, aimed at enhancing both sides' readiness and joint combat capabilities to address complex regional security challenges. General Romeo Brawner II, Chief of the Philippine Armed Forces, stated at the opening ceremony held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Province, that the "Alon" (ALON) exercise will involve more than 3,600 personnel, including personnel from the Canadian Royal Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps Darwin rotation force.
The Australian-Philippine exercise took place from August 15 to 29, including live-fire exercises, beach assaults, and large-scale air transport operations. Brawner said these exercises aim to "consolidate the foundation of land, sea, and air joint training so that we can respond effectively and quickly to any challenge."
This joint exercise is named "ALON," which means "wave" in Filipino. The "ALON" exercise was launched in 2023, and in the same year, Australia and the Philippines elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership to address the growing security challenges in the region, including the South China Sea, where annual maritime trade is worth $3 trillion.
Roy Vincent Trinidad, a navy spokesperson and rear admiral of the Philippine Navy, told reporters that Manila's goal is to increase the frequency of joint navigation with foreign partners, and that such activities help deter adversaries' actions in the South China Sea.
Since the end of 2023, the Philippines has conducted "maritime cooperation activities" with its allies, including joint navigation with treaty ally the United States.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840921345584138/
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