Philippine Navy participates in Exercise Triton Century 2013 in Australia
24 September 2013
The Philippine Navy sailors are presently in Australia to participate for the first time in Exercise Triton Century 2013 and to witness the Australian International Fleet Review, which marks the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy’s first fleet entry into Sydney. Eight sailors from the Philippine Navy Fleet are on board HMAS PARRAMATTA to participate in boarding activities and to cross train on various systems on board the Australian warship.
The Philippine Navy participation is historic as it marks the first contingent from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to travel to Australia and participate in joint exercises since the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) was ratified in 2012.
Vice Admiral Jose Luis M Alano, AFP, Flag Officer in Command Philippine Navy, welcomed the initiative saying "Filipinos and Australians have much in common, as both countries have sizable maritime borders. We find this a great opportunity for Philippine sailors to work side by side their Australian counterparts and likewise gain significant knowledge, skills and training that would be very crucial in a modernizing navy."
His Excellency Bill Tweddell, Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines also welcomed the participation of Philippine Navy sailors in an exercise in Australia. "We have a rich Defence relationship with the Philippines extending back to the Second World War. While many Filipinos have benefited from education and training in Australia under our Defence Cooperation Program and Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have participated in training in the Philippines, this is the first time Filipinos have participated in an exercise in Australia since the SOVFA was ratified. We look forward to more similar engagement in the future".
The Philippine sailors are scheduled to return to the Philippines on October 7.