PRESS RELEASE: Australia Conducts Indo-Pacific Endeavour for a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region

Before sailing into the port of Manila, the Australian Defence Force and the Philippine Navy conducted Exercise Lumbas, a bilateral Australia-Philippines exercise focusing on high-end training and interoperability.

Today, the Australian maritime task group of HMA Ships Canberra, Sirius, and Anzac docked in Manila harbour for a three-day port visit as part of Indo Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21). IPE21 is Australia´s flagship regional engagement activity and a demonstration of Australia´s steadfast support for a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core.

Since late-August, the IPE21 task group has engaged in a program of mutually supportive at-sea activities, training programs and capacity building with several partners in the region.

The three-month deployment involves around 700 people, including Australian defence and civilian personnel and participants from partner nations. These include Captain Constancio Reyes from the Philippine Navy, who we are honoured to have serving as IPE21´s Deputy Commander. 

While modified COVID-19 conditions have required a contactless port visit, Australia and the Philippines will conduct seminars, workshops and other virtual exchanges on important regional issues such as maritime security, women, peace and security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during the IPE21 task group´s time in Manila.

The port visit follows the holding of the bilateral Australia-Philippines at-sea naval Exercise Lumbas, on 25 September. During Exercise Lumbas, Australian and Filipino vessels conducted a series of manoeuvres at sea before sailing into Manila together this morning. The exercise focused on high-end training and interoperability that will benefit both nations in increased maritime domain awareness and force generation.

IPE21 welcomes Philippine Navy Captain Constancio Reyes (left) as its Deputy Commander. He is photographed here aboard HMAS Canberra with Ensign Stacy Villanueva and Lieutenant Chester Ramos.

“Australia is very pleased to have IPE21 in the Philippines, and welcome Philippine Navy Capt Reyes as IPE21’s Deputy Commander. This visit reflects the spirit of mateship and bayanihan during our 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations. It also demonstrates the increasing mutual trust and cooperation between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO.

He further remarked “It is part of our robust and longstanding engagement with the Philippines to promote a secure, open, prosperous, and resilient region.”

Meanwhile, Commander of the IPE21 Task Group, Commodore Mal Wise, stated “We value this opportunity to work with our friends and partners in the region to enhance our interoperability, improve our coordination, and reinforce our shared commitment to a stable region.” 

IPE21 in the Philippines will run from 26 – 29 September. (PR)