leugenn

I asked Justice Carpio if we exercise “sovereignty" not just "sovereign rights" over our EEZ, including the Reed Bank as this forms part of our "national territory" under the Constitution. With his permission, I’m sharing his reply:

The Philippines and Japan commenced their first joint training exercise, codenamed Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25, under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) promulgated lately. This inaugural exercise focuses on HA/DR. mod.go.jp/en/article/202…

Minsan kailangan rin tapikin ang IBP para mahimasmasan. Anyway, what a beautiful reminder to the leadership of IBP of the core values of our profession.

Withdraw the IBP “Golden Pillar of Law Award” Granted To Rodrigo R. Duterte c.org/JwZbzdbjmX

We are excited for the #MNLDialogue this November! The dialogue will bring together gov't officials & maritime practitioners, alongside some of the world's top maritime experts and scholars, to discuss the state of the South China Sea. #MNLDialogueontheSouthChinaSea

WPS is honored to once again partner with @kasphilippines for The #MNLDialogue on the South China Sea. 🇩🇪 KAS PH will convene a plenary session on securing undersea cables, and a working lunch session on addressing the challenge of malign influence operations.

MEDIA REGISTRATION for The #ManilaDialogue on the South China Sea is now live! 5-7 November, 2025 | Manila REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/scsd-media-2025 @ycapsjapan @kasphilippines @ukinphilippines @jaytaryela @JeffreyOrdaniel @coastguardph @NSCPhil @AsiaPacificFdn @PacificForum

WPS proudly presents the WPS Philippine Advisory Board! A consultative body of seasoned professionals envisioned to guide the organization’s mission in advancing principled approaches to resolving disputes in the West PH Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific. #WPS #AdvisoryBoard

My statement formally recognising the State of Palestine.

Closing Exercise ALON 25 today 🇦🇺🤝🇵🇭 Beyond the ships, planes and drills, this was about our people — Australians and Filipinos working side by side, learning from each other, and strengthening our Strategic Partnership for a safer, more secure region.

Australia continues to support the Philippine Coast Guard’s vital role — not only as guardians of the sea, but as protectors of agreed rules and norms. Honoured to meet Commandant Gavan and the brave men and women of @CoastGuardPH today.

WATCH | @AustralianArmy's Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in the Philippines rehearsing amphibious insertions ahead of a Combined Joint Forced Entry Operation with the @PhilMarineCorps at San Vicente, Palawan. #StrongerTogether

Aura ✅ @AusAirForce F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers have joined the party, touching down in the 📍 Philippines for the first time, to join Exercise Alon 2025. #YourADF #StrongerTogether

📍 Clark Air Base, Philippines. Soldiers and armoured vehicles from @AustralianArmy’s Battlegroup Ram touched down in the Philippines this week. Transported via an @AusAirForce C-17A Globemaster, the Tactical Air Land Operation of the battlegroup is one way #YourADF is training to project forces into the region as part of Exercise Alon 25. More than 3,600 personnel are participating in Alon 25, which includes members of the ADF and @TeamAFP, as well as elements of the @RoyalCanNavy and @MRFDarwin.

Wonderful to meet National Secretary of Defense @giboteodoro today in Manila for our 2nd Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers’ Meeting. Australia and the Philippines are global countries with shared values and a shared commitment to upholding the rules-based order. We are pleased to see the growing tempo of cooperation between our two defence forces, and look forward to building on this into the future in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous region 🇦🇺🇵🇭

EXERCISE ALON | AFP, ADF Conduct Joint Naval Exercises in Mindoro The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) successfully conducted a series of coordinated maritime activities on August 19 off Southwest Lubang Island, Mindoro, as part of Exercise ALON 2025. Participating naval assets included the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and the ADF’s HMAS Brisbane (DDG41). The exercise featured a range of operations such as personnel transfer drills, a Communications Exercise (COMMEX), Officer of the Watch Manning Exercise (OOW MANNEX), Combined Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX), night steaming in company, and flight quarters drills. These activities were designed to enhance interoperability, improve operational readiness, and strengthen maritime security cooperation between the AFP and ADF. The joint maneuvers highlight the enduring defense partnership and shared commitment of the Philippines and Australia to promoting peace and stability in the region. Photos by FF150 #AFPyoucanTRUST #OneAFPOnePhilippines #StrongAFPStrongPhilippines #OurSeasOurRightsOurFuture

HMAS Brisbane has joined Exercise Alon 25, departing from 📍 Port of Manila and sailing in company with BRP Jose Rizal. 🚢 The vessels are part of the maritime task group conducting operations under the Exercise and will be joined by @RoyalCanNavy ship HMCS Ville de Quebec 🇦🇺 🇵🇭 🇨🇦 Exercise Alon 25 is a bilateral training activity planned and led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defence Force and is the largest overseas military exercise for Australia in 2025. #YourADF #AusNavy #StrongerTogether

Ordnance to support live-fire training during Exercise ALON 25 has arrived at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, onboard a @AusAirForce C130J Hercules. (1)

Looking forward to strengthening the friendship between our two countries as Australia's new Ambassador. #AustraliaAndThePhilippines

Great honour to present my credentials to President @bongbongmarcos. Australia and the Philippines’ Strategic Partnership is flourishing — in trade & investment, defence, civil maritime and development cooperation. I am committed to promoting our shared prosperity and security.

AFP, ADF Commence Expanded ALON 2025, Highlighting Regional Defense Cooperation The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) officially launched Exercise Amphibious and Land Operations (ALON) 2025 today in a ceremony held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This marks the beginning of the most extensive and complex iteration of the bilateral defense exercise since its inception in 2023. The opening ceremony was attended by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr., Deputy Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines, Dr Moya Collett, and Deputy Chief of Joint Operations MGen Hugh McAslan. Running from 15 to 29 August 2025, Exercise ALON 2025 brings together over 3,600 military personnel from the AFP and ADF, with additional participation from the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps’ Marine Rotation Force – Darwin. Training activities will take place across key locations in Palawan and Luzon, aiming to enhance interoperability, readiness, and regional security cooperation. In his remarks, General Brawner highlighted the significance of the enduring defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia, emphasizing the strategic importance of the exercise. “The ALON flag represents our unity of purpose—our readiness to sail and march together in defense of peace,” he said. “The patches now worn by our troops are a mark of belonging—to a team that crosses national borders, speaks the same language of duty, and shares the same mission.” Exercise ALON continues to serve as a cornerstone of Philippines–Australia defense cooperation, demonstrating a shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Photos by LTC SALGADO PA and PFC Carmelotes PN(M) / PAOAFP #AFPyoucanTRUST #OneAFPOnePhilippines #StrongAFPStrongPhilippines #OurSeasOurRightsOurFuture