CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) formally concluded Exercise ALON 2025 during a Closing Ceremony today, August 29, held at Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers’ Country, here.
The event was graced by Major General Paul Kenny DSC, AM, DSM, Deputy Theater Commander–Australia; Major General Francisco F Lorenzo Jr PA, AFP Exercise Director, ALON 25; Lieutenant General Jimmy D Larida PN(M), Acting Chief of Staff, AFP, who represented General Romeo S Brawner Jr, AFP Chief of Staff; His Excellency Marc Innes-Brown PSM, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines; and Senior Undersecretary Irineo C Espino, Undersecretary of National Defense (USND), who represented Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C Teodoro Jr.
Running from August 15 to 29, Exercise ALON 2025 was conducted across multiple locations in Palawan, Nueva Ecija, and within the waters of West Philippine Sea. Major activities included amphibious operations, naval and air interoperability drills, maritime security operations, and combined live-fire exercises. Beyond combat training, the exercise also featured humanitarian and disaster response activities, community relations projects, and cultural exchanges, highlighting the holistic approach of AFP and ADF in fostering cooperation.
In his message, LtGen Larida underscored the significance of the exercise: “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.”///
Photo by: A1C Castro PAF / PAOAFP
