PH, Australian and Canadian troops ‘recapture’ Palawan in Exercise ALON 2025

Filipino, Australian and Canadian forces simulated retaking territory captured by an unnamed enemy country in San Vicente, Palawan as part of Exercise ALON (Amphibious Land Operation) 2025 over the weekend.

As reported by JP Soriano on Sunday’s 24 Oras Weekend, simulated ground operations were supported by Australian F/A-18 Super Hornets and Philippine Air Force FA-50s overhead while from the sea rushed small fast RHIBs and rubber boats filled with more troops who conducted an amphibious landing.

Infantry teams composed of Philippine Marines and the "diggers" of the Australian Defence Force swiftly surrounded and occupied the day’s objective,a target building near the shore surrounded by coconut trees.

Witnessing the proceedings were senior military and defense officials led by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Minister Richard Marles.

“This is cooperation about two countries which seek to assert rules-based order and it is as simple as that,” Marles said to members of the media.

The Department of National Defense said the presence of a high ranking government official from Australia signifies the Philippines’ willingness to cooperate and communicate with other countries that recognize and respect the Philippines’s rights in the West Philippine Sea. 

“We expect criticism but we will do what we need to do in spite of the criticism because the criticism of the (People’s Republic of China) is really paranoia and it is a propaganda line... which unfortunately for them and fortunately for us is not working,” added Teodoro.

WPS

Speaking on the latest situation in the WPS where Chinese forces approached and attempted to surround the disputed Ayungin Shoal, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner said, “The situation has been improving. We have been successful in pushing the Chinese intrusions into the shoal itself. So successful tayo na naitulak natin yung mga Chinese.”

The AFP said the fishing nets the Chinese spread along the shoal’s perimeter have already been cut and that the men on board the grounded BRP Sierra Madre are in good condition.

For the AFP, holding the current military exercise in Palawan is important due to the proximity to the Kalayaan Island Group that lies in the WPS.

“Sa nakikita nating threats we’re facing, Palawan is one of those areas. So we have to be able to rehearse the defense of our western seaboard kaya ginawa natin sa Zambales and dito sa Palawan,” Brawner said.

The ALON Exercise will continue in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija next week. — RF, GMA Integrated News