Australian Navy ships arrive in the Philippines for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 exercise

Three Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels, Her Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Canberra III, Anzac, and Sirius, arrived in the country for Australia’s flagship annual engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21).

According to a press release issued by the Philippine Navy, earlier in the day, the Philippine Navy (PN) frigate BRP Antonio Luna FF151 conducted series of exercises with the IPE21 task group in the vicinity off Cabra Island before the said group proceeded to Manila.

Upon the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy vessels, the PN will further engage the IPE21 task group in various cooperative activities and at-sea interactions, including workshops, seminars, and other virtual exchanges on crucial regional issues such as maritime security, women, peace and security, and humanitarian assistance.

Worthy of note is the participation of three PN officers in IPE21 where Capt. Constancio Reyes is serving as the task group’s deputy commander and is with two other officers, Lt. Chester Ian Ramos and Ens. Stacy Kaye Villanueva.

IPE21 aims to strengthen Australia’s partnership with the region and across Southeast Asia by conducting a broad range of cooperative bilateral training and engagement events. The Philippines serves as IPE21’s final stop for September.

The participation of the PN in IPE21 demonstrates its unwavering commitment and steadfast dedication towards promoting regional cooperation and strengthening ties with other navies.

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