MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), held a maritime cooperative activity under Exercise Alon on Saturday in the West Philippine Sea, west southwest of El Nido, Palawan.
Participating warships included the 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).
The exercise featured helicopter cross-deck landings, personnel transfers via MH-60 Seahawk and rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), as well as ship-to-ship interoperability drills.
The AFP said the engagement “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.”
PH-Australia defense ties
The joint sail comes a day after the 2nd Philippines–Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, where defense officials reaffirmed defense cooperation as a vital pillar of the Philippines–Australia strategic partnership.
In a joint statement Saturday, both sides “underscored the importance of a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to, and nations exercise their rights free from coercion.”
They also “expressed serious concern over the situation in the South China Sea, particularly dangerous and coercive actions by China against Philippine vessels,” stressing that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award is final and binding on the parties.
Officials said they “resolved to continue working together to uphold international law and support regional maritime security,” while committing to deepen collaboration under existing agreements such as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and the Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement (MLSA).
They also welcomed “new cooperation on defense infrastructure development in the Philippines,” projects that will “increase our combined collective capability, enhance interoperability, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation.”
Exercise Alon has emerged as the flagship bilateral drill between Manila and Canberra, complementing the Philippines’ debut participation in Australia’s large-scale Talisman Sabre 2025 earlier this year. For Australia, it is the largest overseas military exercise in 2025, reflecting Canberra’s commitment to building defense partnerships in the region.
The defense officials also vowed to meet again next year for the 3rd Philippines and Australia Defense Ministers Meeting as both countries look to further deepen defense ties.
West Philippine Sea
The West Philippine Sea refers to the eastern portion of the South China Sea, which is a critical maritime region for international trade routes and rich in natural resources. The name is used by the Philippine government to assert its sovereign rights over areas within its exclusive economic zone, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This area is the subject of ongoing territorial disputes, primarily with China, which claims historical sovereignty over almost the entire sea.
El Nido, Palawan
El Nido is a coastal town on the northern tip of Palawan, Philippines, renowned for its dramatic limestone karst cliffs, hidden lagoons, and pristine white-sand beaches. Its name, which means «The Nest» in Spanish, originates from the edible swiftlet nests found in its caves, a delicacy that has been harvested for centuries. The area’s history is also marked by ancient human settlements, with archaeological evidence showing it was inhabited as far back as 2680 BC.
BRP Jose Rizal
The BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) is the lead ship of the Jose Rizal-class frigates of the Philippine Navy. It was commissioned in 2020 and built by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, marking a significant modernization of the country’s naval fleet. The ship is named in honor of Dr. José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero who was executed in 1896.
HMAS Brisbane
HMAS Brisbane was a Perth-class guided missile destroyer that served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1967 to 2001. The ship saw active service in the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. After its decommissioning, it was scuttled off the Sunshine Coast in 2005 to serve as an artificial reef and popular dive site.
HMCS Ville de Québec
HMCS Ville de Québec is a Halifax-class frigate in the Royal Canadian Navy, named after Quebec City. The ship was commissioned in 1993 and has a distinguished operational history, most notably serving as the first Canadian ship to intercept drug smugglers in the Caribbean following the 9/11 attacks. It remains an active vessel, having undergone modernization to maintain its role in coastal defense and international naval operations.
Exercise Alon
I am not familiar with a specific place or cultural site named «Exercise Alon.» It is possible this may refer to a military exercise, a code name, or a local event rather than a permanent location. Without more specific context, I cannot provide an accurate historical summary.
Talisman Sabre 2025
«Talisman Sabre» is not a place or cultural site, but a major biennial military exercise between the Australian Defence Force and the United States military, with other international partners. First held in 2005, it is designed to enhance interoperability and readiness, with the 2025 iteration being its tenth occurrence. The exercises are primarily conducted across various training areas in Australia.
South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award
The South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award refers to the 2016 ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague, constituted under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The case was brought by the Philippines and the tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in its favor, finding China’s expansive «nine-dash line» claim and its island-building activities had no legal basis. China rejected the ruling, calling the tribunal illegitimate, and the award remains a major point of geopolitical contention in the region.