MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine and Australian navies were seen to boost interoperability this week as they take part in the Indo Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21), an annual Australian Defense Force exercise with partners across the region and Southeast Asia.
Three Australian Navy ships—HMAS Canberra III, Anzac and Sirus— arrived at the Manila harbor on Sunday (Sept. 26) for a three-day stopover, the Philippine Navy said in a statement.
Australia HMA ships Canberra, Sirius, and Anzac are in Manila for 3 days for Indo Pacific Endeavour 2021.
Philippine Navy’s Captain Constancio Reyes is the deputy commander of the IPE 2021. (📸Australian embassy) pic.twitter.com/DlcXQtVbxQ
— Frances Mangosing 🇵🇭 (@FMangosingINQ) September 26, 2021
The Australian IPE21 contingent will hold “various cooperative activities and at-sea interactions, including workshops, seminars, and other virtual exchanges” during its stay in Manila.
Before reaching Manila on Sunday, the Australian IPE21 ships held a series of exercises with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) off Cabra Island.
The three-month IPE21 deployment came as Australia forged a new security pact with the United States and United Kingdom centered on the Indo-Pacific region, an effort seen to counter China’s growing power.
The IPE21 launched in late August and involved at least 700 people, including Australian defense and civilian personnel, and participants from partner nations.
Three Philippine Navy officers took part in the IPE21, with Capt. Constancio Reyes as the task group’s deputy commander. He was joined by Lt. Chester Ian Ramos and Ensign Stacy Kaye Villanueva.
The Philippine Navy said its participation in IPE21 demonstrated its unwavering commitment and steadfast dedication to promoting regional cooperation and strengthening ties with other nations’ navies.
“We value this opportunity to work with our friends and partners in the region to enhance our interoperability, improve our coordination, and reinforce our shared commitment to a stable region,” said IPE21 task group commander Commodore Mal Wise.