Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, said the inaugural patrols represent the practical implementation of the strategic partnership signed between the two nations in September.
Australia and the Philippines are firmly committed to a peaceful, secure and prosperous region, where sovereignty and agreed rules and norms are respected, he said on Saturday in a joint statement with the Philippine national defense secretary, Gilberto C Teodoro Jr.
The exercises are seen as a practical manifestation of the growing strategic and defense partnership between Australia and the Philippines, as stated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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