The Philippine Navy (PN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) both committed to further strengthen their bilateral relations to better address mutual security concerns.
This was agreed upon during the courtesy visit of Commodore Ray Leggatt, RAN Chief of Staff, on Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, acting PN Flag Officer in Command, at the PN Headquarters in Manila on Monday, Oct. 10.
During his visit, Leggatt underscored the importance of protecting the maritime domain to ensure the prosperity of a maritime nation such as the Philippines.
“Building on protecting the maritime domain, the two Navy leaders conveyed optimism on the furtherance of PN-RAN strategic partnership in addressing mutual security challenges through training opportunities and other areas of engagements,” Commander Benjo Negranza, PN spokesperson, said on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
“Commodore Leggatt also shared important pointers and observations during his stint as the commander of the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 as part of the Combined Maritime Force in the Middle East area of operations for the reference of the PN for its future command of CTF 151,” Negranza added.
The CMF is a multinational maritime partnership which promotes security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lines.
It has 33 member-nations so far including the Philippines. The CMF has three combined task forces: CTF 150 which focuses on maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf; CTF 151 which specializes on counter-piracy; and CTF 152 which gives emphasis on maritime security operations inside the Arabian Gulf.
Negranza said the courtesy visit highlighted the “strong defense cooperation” between the Philippines and Australia which will help maintain regional peace and stability.
Combat tracking operations
Meanwhile, special forces from the Philippine Army (PA) and Royal Australian Defense (RAD) Army trained side-by-side in combat tracking operations, the PA said on Tuesday.
The training aims to enhance the scout rangers’ competency in urban operations and develop the skills of Australian troops in jungle and mountain operations, said Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson.
The training was part of the two-month-long “Exercise Kasangga” spearheaded by the PA at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.
The exercise will conclude later this month and was joined by 400 Scout Rangers from PA and 100 Australian troops from the 3rd Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR).