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HMAS Anzac joined the Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap for the five-day exercise.
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The exercise served as an opportunity to deepen the technical capabilities of both nations through exchanges, advance cooperation, and enhance people-to-people and cultural ties, Commanding Officer HMAS Anzac Commander Barton Harrington explained.
The HMAS Anzac commenced its regional deployment in April.
“We joined our Philippine Navy counterparts both ashore for the opening and closing ceremonies and at sea, off their coast to conduct a series of training activities in warfare, maritime security, and seamanship,” he said.
“Now in its 23rd iteration, Lumbas is one of the RAN’s longest-running recurring engagements in the region. It is an important and longstanding activity in our bilateral engagement with the Philippines.
“Australia is committed to working closely with the Philippines to support a region that is stable, secure, and prosperous and where the rule of law prevails.
“I’m proud of the hard work put in by everyone aboard Anzac and it was great to see the engagement between all participants of Lumbas,” CMDR Harrington said.
In 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced that the two nations would elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, enhancing defence and maritime cooperation, as well as law enforcement collaboration.
“In the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and the Australian tradition of mateship, we have stood by each other in good times and bad,” the Prime Minister said following the announcement.
“Elevating our relationship to a strategic partnership will reinforce our focus on strengthening ties between our two countries, and working together to build a region that is resilient and prosperous for all.
“I look forward to continuing the work between our two nations.”
