Australia and the Philippines began their “maritime cooperative activity” on Saturday. Both countries are attempting to fortify their defence alliance in response to growing regional threats, such as China’s strong posture.
This initiative comes after just over two months ago when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Malacañang.
Using his official platform X, which was formerly Twitter, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the start of the engagement between the Australian defence forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We endeavour to enhance bilateral interoperability in maritime security and domain awareness; test doctrines, existing protocols, and enhance efficiency; and foster closer cooperation between our countries’ armed forces,” Marcos stated.
“This inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity and those that may follow are a practical manifestation of the growing and deepening strategic and defence partnership between our countries,” he stated.
According to Marcos, the naval cooperation between Australia and the Philippines demonstrates their shared dedication “to supporting the rules-based international order and a more peaceful, secure, and stable Indo-Pacific region.”
In addition to Australia’s HMAS Toowoomba cruiser and a P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft, the Philippines is scheduled to send out two navy ships and five surveillance aircraft. Arsenio Andolong, a spokesman for the Philippine defence, acknowledged that these patrols will occur inside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
The action comes after Albanese and Marcos signed a strategic alliance in September that covers a range of topics, including education, climate change, and defence and security.
Manila and Beijing are at odds over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which has led to an increase of patrols involving the US, Australia, and the Philippines.
An international tribunal has rejected China’s broad claims in the region, which are thousands of kilometres away from its closest major landmass, on the grounds that they lack legal foundation.
In an effort to support its claims in the region, China has increased its presence in the region by stationing vessels and building militarised manmade islands. — using an Agence France-Presse report
