DARWIN, Australia - The Philippines-Australia (PH-Aus) Exercise Alon 2023 officially kicked off on morning of August 14, 2023 in an opening ceremony held at the Flight Deck of HMAS Canberra with the Commander, Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023, AIRCDRE Tony McCormack.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Australian Defence Force (ADF) bilateral Cooperative Amphibious Serial conceived as “ALON” or “waves” is part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) activity for the year 2023. The term “waves” signifies the characteristics of amphibious warfare and emphasizes the projection of ground and air power onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore. The IPE23 is Australia’s flagship international engagement activity in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean region. IPE aims to promote security, stability, stronger partnership through bilateral and multilateral engagement training, capacity building and humanitarian efforts. Exercise Alon 2023 is the first bilateral amphibious exercise between Australia and the Philippines.

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Emphasizing the spirit of never giving up, the Armed Forces Chief encouraged the young athletes who participated in the Uniformed Services Little Olympics 2023 to compete at the national level in a Closing Ceremony conducted August 10 at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand here.

“To our participants, gawin niyo ang inyong hakbang upang madiskubre pa ang inyong talento sa larangan ng paglalaro at magbigay daan upang makaabot pa kayo sa antas tulad ng Palarong Pambansa,” Gen Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff said to the young dependents of the participating agencies of the security sector in a message that was read by LtGen Charlton Sean M Gaerlan, The Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP (TDCSAFP).