INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is planning to hold larger military exercises with Australia, a military official said on Tuesday, as both countries wrapped up their biggest war games to date.
Exercise Alon director Brig. Gen. Jimmy Larida said the next iteration in 2025 will involve more Philippine military personnel from all service branches.
Alon — which is part of Canberra’s flagship biennial international engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavor — is the largest joint military exercise so far staged by the Philippines and Australia with 2,000 troops.
A simple closing ceremony for Alon was held at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday. Larida said Alon was being “envisioned” as the Australian counterpart for Balikatan, the military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.
The inaugural Alon focused on bilateral amphibious assault training in waters facing the West Philippine Sea, where there are concerns over China’s increasing assertiveness.