Phl, Australia begin Maritime Cooperative Activity

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday announced that the Philippines and Australia officially begin a bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity.

Marcos said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is set to conduct maritime interoperability exercises with the Australian Defense Forces as part of the two countries' elevation of their strategic partnerships—following the state visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Malacañang in September this year.

"We endeavor to enhance bilateral interoperability in maritime security and domain awareness; test doctrines, existing protocols, and enhance efficiency; and foster closer cooperation between our countries' armed forces," Marcos said.

"This inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity and those that may follow are a practical manifestation of the growing and deepening strategic defense partnership between our countries," he added.

Marcos said the MCA highlights the shared commitment of the Philippines and Australia to "supporting the rules-based international order and a more peaceful, secure, and stable Indo-Pacific region."

Two months ago, the Philippines and Australia signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, elevating the bilateral relationship of the two countries from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership.

The Philippines-Australian MCA will be conducted from 25 to 27 November within the country's exclusive economic zones.

The Philippines has also recently concluded a similar MCA with the United States Indo-Pacific Command where they conduct several maritime air patrols in the vicinity of Batanes and the West Philippine Sea.

The Manila-Washington MCA is an approved activity of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board and is within the framework of the PH-US Mutual Defense Treaty.

The government maintained that the activity is aimed at testing protocols and further enhancing interoperability between the AFP and USINDOPACOM.