PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

15 November 2024, CANBERRA - Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. concluded a landmark visit to Canberra where he met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles in the inaugural Philippines-Australia Defence Ministers' Meeting on 12 November 2024 at Parliament House.

In a significant development for bilateral military engagement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will make its inaugural participation in Australia's premier military exercise, Talisman Sabre, in 2025. This milestone will be complemented by Australian forces' participation in the Philippines' Exercise Balikatan and their first-time involvement in Exercise Salaknib. The Ministers looked forward to the second iteration of Exercise Alon in 2025, which will feature increased complexity in joint training operations.

Under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program, the Philippines and Australia will continue dialogue and collaboration on capacity building, training initiatives, leadership development, and infrastructure collaboration.

The Ministers committed to deepening defence and security cooperation, which is a key pillar under the Strategic Partnership.

The Philippines and Australia, have a robust defense and security cooperation program that covers a range of activities in counter-terrorism, maritime security and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Australia is one of only two Visiting Forces Agreement partners of the Philippines. - END