Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. has called on ASEAN members and their partners to strengthen defence cooperation and uphold international law amid continuing maritime tensions in the region.
Speaking at the opening of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu on Thursday (29 October), Teodoro outlined three priorities for regional defence cooperation: upholding international law, sustaining joint security initiatives and jointly addressing disruptions affecting food and energy security.
Faced with increasingly serious regional threats, he called on all parties to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, refrain from interfering in domestic affairs, settle disputes peacefully, and renounce the threat or use of force.
“Our practical cooperation must be grounded in mutual respect and adherence to international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea.”
Teodoro did not name any country, but tensions between the Philippines and China over disputed straits in the South China Sea continue to escalate.
With supply chain challenges and overseas conflicts threatening regional stability, Teodoro called for stronger cooperation on food and energy security. He also urged the international community to strengthen protection for migrant workers and seafarers in areas of maritime conflict, stressing their important contribution to the global economy.
With regards to regional cooperation, ASEAN defence ministers signed two documents on Wednesday (28 October): a joint statement marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the Manila Joint Declaration, which marks the 20th anniversary of the ADMM and is titled “Navigating Our Future Together”.
The documents reaffirm member states’ commitment to upholding shared principles and ASEAN unity, and maintaining “ASEAN centrality” in relations with dialogue partners.
The Philippines has also further deepened its defence partnership with the US. Following Teodoro’s talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, the US announced that it would increase security cooperation funding to accelerate the modernisation of the Philippine military and improve the two militaries’ ability to operate together along the first island chain.
However, the US did not disclose the amount. The “first island chain” refers to the islands between China and the Pacific Ocean.
The two sides also agreed to launch an Alliance Command and Control Modernization Sprint to strengthen bilateral real-time coordination and enhance the alliance’s resilience.
Beyond its cooperation with the US, the Philippines is also involved in broader regional defence cooperation. The Squad, an informal quadrilateral defence and security grouping comprising the Philippines, Japan, Australia and the US, also agreed to strengthen cooperation towards a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.
