Philippines, Australia Conduct Joint Drills Near Disputed Sea
Soldiers participate in a combat exercise as a part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavor 2023 between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force called Exercise Alon, in Tarampitao Airfield in Rizal, Palawan on Aug. 21, 2023,
Photographer: Jam Sta Rosa/AFP/Getty ImagesThe Philippines and Australia conducted an air assault exercise near South China Sea, marking the “first major” drills lined up for this year between the two armed forces amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing.
The drills, held in Rizal municipality in Palawan province, involved 175 troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and two platoons from the Australian Defense Force, Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of public affairs at the Philippine military, said in a statement on Monday.