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PH, Australia troops end two-week 'ALON' drills

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
August 29, 2025, 4:53 pm

MANILA -- The Philippines and Australia on Friday concluded this year's iteration of the Amphibious and Land Operations (ALON) exercises, further boosting the two countries' partnership and the interoperability between the participating military units.

Interviewed after the closing ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Australia's Deputy Theater Commander Maj. Gen. Paul Kenny said "ALON" 2025 was "a step up from our exercise in 2023, and continues to reinforce the close partnership and friendship between not just the two nations, but more importantly between the ADF (Australian Defense Force) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines)."

For his part, AFP Exercise "ALON" 2025 director Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr. said the two-week event has been successful.

"We are happy to say that all of the objectives were attained and it (ALON 2025) was conducted as planned," he said.

Held from Aug. 15 to 29, Exercise "ALON" 2025 was conducted across multiple locations in Palawan, Nueva Ecija, and within the waters of the West Philippine Sea.

Major activities included amphibious operations, naval and air interoperability drills, maritime security operations, and combined live-fire exercises.

Beyond combat training, Exercise "ALON" 2025 also featured humanitarian and disaster response activities, community relations projects, and cultural exchanges, highlighting the holistic approach of AFP and ADF in fostering cooperation.

AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida, who represented AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in the closing ceremonies, underscored the significance of the exercise.

"In these uncertain times when challenges on sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law persist, our collaboration sends a clear message: that nations, large and small, have stood together, side by side in the defense of peace and rights of all people," he said.

More than 3,600 personnel took part in Exercise "ALON" 2025, including members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps' Marine Rotation Force - Darwin. (PNA)