President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on his way to the viewing deck of Naval Station Leogivildo Gantioqui to watch the highlight of the first-ever Philippines-Australia amphibious exercise in San Antonio, Zambales, on Friday, August 25, 2023. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza
ZAMBALES, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday observed the highlight of the first amphibious drills between the Philippines and Australia held in this province.
Marcos arrived at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui in San Antonio to watch the amphibious landing exercise on the town’s shores.
Members of the Philippine Marine Corps, Australian Defense Force (ADF), and United States Marine Corps (USMC) participated in the drills, which are a simulation of an island retaking scenario.
Marcos was accompanied by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr.
Their Australian counterparts, namely Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister of Defense, and ADF’s Commander of Joint Operations Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton also attended the program.
The amphibious landing practice is part of the Philippines-Australia Exercise Alon 2023, where multiple ships and aircraft, as well as more than 2,000 personnel – around 700 from the AFP; 1,200 from ADF; and 150 from USMC – are involved.
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