Australia's deputy prime minister pays courtesy call on Bersamin

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and concurrent Defense Minister Richard Marles on Friday paid a courtesy call on Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at the Presidential Guest House in Malacañang Palace.

Marles is in the country for the second iteration of the Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers Meeting (DMM) hosted by the Department of National Defense (DND).

Marles will observe activities related to Exercise Amphibious and Land Operations (Ex ALON) 2025, which is considered as Australia’s largest overseas joint training activity this year. 

He will also discuss the overall bilateral and regional defense cooperation between the Philippines and Australia.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said the two countries “will train together at locations around the islands of Palawan and Luzon during Exercise ALON 2025 from 15 to 29 August 2025.”

A total of 3,600 personnel from the AFP, ADF, United States Marine Corps, and the Royal Canadian Navy will participate in the activities. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News