PH skips Australia-led joint drills

DIVERSE PARTICIPATION Members of Australia’s Navy hold their biennial Exercise Kakadu with allied nations who are now at more than 30. —Photo from Royal Australian Navy FB page

MANILA, Philippines — Citing stepped-up maritime patrols nationwide, the Philippine Navy made a last-minute decision to pull out of Exercise Kakadu, the Royal Australian Navy’s flagship maritime exercises in Darwin, Australia, which began Sept. 9 and ends Sept. 20.

Sources said the decision was made less than 24 hours before the supposed send-off ceremony for BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) on Sept. 2 at the Subic Naval Operating Base.

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Had it taken part, BRP Antonio Luna would have been gone for a total of 27 days. As one of the Navy’s most modern warships, it frequently patrols the West Philippine Sea.

“It was supposed to join the exercise. However, due to the increased operational tempo of maritime patrols across the whole archipelago, this requirement was prioritized,” Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. told the Inquirer on Sunday.

The Navy last took part in 2018 in Exercise Kakadu, one of Australia’s largest naval exercises held biennially, which aims to develop interoperability with friendly nations in the maritime and air domains.

This year’s event is the biggest and most diverse so far, with participants from over 30 countries, ships from 10 countries and aircraft from five nations converging in the North Australian exercise area, according to Australia’s defense department.

The Philippines also canceled its planned participation in the United States-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest naval exercises, held in Hawaii in June due to “operational exigencies.”

Downgraded participation

Instead of a landing dock and a frigate as announced earlier, the Navy just sent observers.

The limited ships in the Navy’s fleet are mostly used for sovereignty patrols and logistical transport. It expects the delivery of two corvettes, six offshore patrol vessels and two landing docks to add to its inventory in the coming years.

Last week, a contingent from the Royal Australian Navy was in Manila for Canberra’s main regional engagement activity, this year’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE).

“The exchanges focused on several activities of mutual interest and priority,” the Australian Embassy in Manila said.

The engagements included a tabletop exercise responding to an earthquake scenario and exchanges focused on maritime law, senior enlisted leadership, and gender in military operations, as well as a series of sports events.

IPE 2024 will also visit Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam for the rest of the year.

“Australia is pleased to work with our regional partners through IPE 2024 to demonstrate our shared commitment to regional stability and security,” the embassy said.