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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP, Australia wrap up Exercise ALON as China patrols Bajo de Masinloc

AFP, Australia wrap up Exercise ALON as China patrols Bajo de Masinloc

Published Aug 29, 2025 04:26 pm
Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida (center), vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), furls the Exercise ALON 2025 flag with Major General Paul Kenny (second from left), deputy theater commander–Australia, and Major General Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr. (second from right), AFP Exercise Director for ALON 25, during the exercise's closing ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Aug. 29, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida (center), vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), furls the Exercise ALON 2025 flag with Major General Paul Kenny (second from left), deputy theater commander–Australia, and Major General Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr. (second from right), AFP Exercise Director for ALON 25, during the exercise's closing ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Aug. 29, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) concluded Exercise ALON 25 (Amphibious and Land Operations) on Friday, Aug. 29, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, capping off two weeks of joint drills aimed at strengthening interoperability in maritime defense and disaster response, as China announced maritime patrols in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal).
Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida, AFP vice chief of staff, underscored the significance of the exercise amid China’s growing presence in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“In these uncertain times when challenges on sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law persist, our collaboration sends a clear message: that nations, large and small, have stood together, side by side in the defense of peace and rights of all people,” said Larida, who represented AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
The event was graced by Major General Paul Kenny, deputy theater commander–Australia; Major General Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., AFP Exercise Director for ALON 25; Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown; and Department of National Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo C Espino, who represented Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Dubbed as the biggest military exercise between the Philippines and Australia, Exercise ALON featured amphibious operations, naval and air interoperability drills, maritime security operations, and combined live-fire exercises across multiple locations in Palawan, Nueva Ecija, and within the waters of WPS since Aug. 15.
More than 3,600 military personnel joined the drills. Participants from United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Royal Canadian Navy, as well as military observers from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia joined the activities.
Larida said that beyond combat training, the exercise also featured humanitarian and disaster response (HADR) activities, community relations projects, and cultural exchanges, highlighting the holistic approach of AFP and ADF in fostering cooperation.
Meanwhile, the China Coast Guard (CCG) allegedly conducted law enforcement patrols in Bajo de Masinloc, or what the Chinese call as Huangyan Dao, nerly three weeks since the collision of its vessel with a Chinese navy warship.
“China Coast Guard conducted law enforcement patrols in the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and surrounding areas on Friday,” Chinese state media Global Times said in an X post.
It said the CCG conducted tracking surveillance and other operations in Bajo de Masinloc and its surrounding since August.

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AFP Australian Defence Force Exercise ALON China Bajo de Masinloc
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