Subic Bay, Philippines – Navies of the Philippines and Australia sustained maritime cooperation in maritime realm during the latter’s four-day goodwill visit to the country from February 2 to 5, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries bordering the Indo-Pacific region.
With the Philippine Fleet (PF) taking the lead, the Philippine Navy (PN) hosted its Australian counterparts which commenced in the arrival ceremony for His Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Hobart (DDG39), the lead ship of the Hobart-class air warfare destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), at the Rivera Wharf of Subic Port in Zambales. Commander (Cdr.) Adonie Aromin, Commanding Officer of the Headquarters Support Unit of Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC), led the welcoming contingent along with senior officers and enlisted personnel from the PF and Naval Intelligence Operations and Fusion Center.
The visit saw a series of activities fostering collaboration and camaraderie between Filipino and Australian sailors that included reciprocal receptions on board HMAS Hobart and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) attended by PF Commander, Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Orbe, and Offshore Combat Force Commander, Commo. Raul Regis, and a shipboard tour which provided 15 PF personnel and 45 student officers from NETDC a unique opportunity to explore the visiting ship’s advanced systems, operational capabilities, and mission readiness.
Integral part of the visit was the courtesy call of DDG39’s commanding officer, Cdr. Alisha Withers and her party to the Fleet Commander on February 3 where they discussed the enhancement of maritime collaboration, improvement of interoperability through future joint exercises, and sustainment of the long-standing defense partnership between Australia and the Philippines.
A formal send-off ceremony at the Rivera Wharf on February 5 concluded the goodwill visit, wrapping up another successful conduct of international defense and security engagement that fostered knowledge-sharing, diplomacy, and strengthening of professional ties.
This engagement has reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to bolstering defense relations and maritime security in support of the shared vision of ensuring regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
