Marles highlighted the initiative as a major step forward in bilateral ties, coinciding with the largest-ever joint exercises between the two nations, known as “ALON 2025.” The drills, running for two weeks in Palawan, include maritime security operations to improve interoperability against shared threats. Philippine officials noted that Chinese coast guard vessels recently conducted water cannon drills near the Second Thomas Shoal, prompting Manila to condemn Beijing’s actions as “gross violations” of international law.

General Romeo Brawner Jr., the Philippine military chief, confirmed that troops were instructed to exercise maximum restraint but remain firm in defending the country’s sovereignty. “We will remain in our post, and we will make sure that we continue to uphold our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he said.

A Strategic Partnership Against Rising Tensions

The security partnership between Australia and the Philippines has grown under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has sought to diversify Manila’s alliances beyond the United States. In 2023, Marcos and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, laying the groundwork for the current defense push.

The defense infrastructure plan is expected to bolster Philippine military readiness and deepen Canberra’s role in regional security. Both governments underscored that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to upholding international law and countering coercion in the South China Sea.