NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Manila — The Philippine Navy (PN) strengthened collaboration and discussed matters of mutual interest with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the 7th Annual Navy To Navy Talks held in Canberra, Australia on March 14.

PN head of delegation, Vice Commander, Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, together with his RAN counterpart, Rear Adm. Jonathan Earley, co-chaired the dialogue that sought to address strategy and policy issues that will be mutually beneficial to both navies.

The meaningful discourse likewise tackled mutual cooperation and understanding, capacity building activities and exercises between the two naval forces, and upholding UNCLOS, rules-based international order at sea, and the 2016 Arbitration Ruling.

At the sidelines of this engagement, the PN delegation paid a courtesy call on the PH Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Ma. Hellen De La Vega. They also  toured the Australian Defence College-Campbell and visited the Australian War Memorial for the Last Post Ceremony paying tribute to Australian soldiers who perished in previous wars.

Through this meeting, the PN initiated concrete action into the strategic directives of the Philippine President and AFP Commander In Chief, His Excellency  Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in light of his recent visit to Australia and the elevation of PH-AU partnership into a more strategic status.

Among the PN’s contributions in the deepening ties with Australia is the significant increase in defense engagements with RAN covering high-level collaborations, operations and exercises, capability development, education and training opportunities, and human resource development.

PUBLISHED BY:    Naval Public Affairs Office (NPAO) CDR JOHN PERCIE A ALCOS PN(GSC) Director, Naval Public Affairs Office