PH DEFENSE CHIEF HIGHLIGHTS UNITY, SOVEREIGNTY, OPEN DIALOGUE AT ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS’ MEETING

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday highlighted three key messages as he chairs the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

In his opening remarks for the 20th ADMM, Teodoro noted the present challenges confronting the region, requiring ASEAN unity.

“Against this backdrop, and in line with the Philippines’ theme of ‘Navigating our Future, Together,’ we humbly offer in our capacity as chair of the ADMM three key messages to guide our discussions going forward,” said Teodoro.

First, Teodoro said ASEAN’s internal stability and intra unity are vital in upholding unity and cooperation in the midst of a fragmenting world.

The bloc, he pointed out, must adhere to ASEAN Centrality and the principles that bind it, such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force.

He noted that ASEAN was founded on the belief that its strength lies in its diversity, stressing that each member state’s differences should not cause internal division.

“And where such differences exist, including in the South China Sea, we shall settle them through peaceful and legal means,” the Philippine defense chief noted.

Teodoro also highlighted the importance of functional cooperation to enhance trust, as he underscored the essence of maintaining trust and confidence among ASEAN’s defense establishments and producing purposive outcomes for the people through the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus.

The ASEAN, he said, has made significant strides in maritime security, protection of critical underwater infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.

He also stressed the need to expand cooperation to secure food and energy security amid supply chain challenges from conflicts beyond its shores.

“This initiative gains in importance as Southeast Asia braces for a super El Niño, which will likewise affect food, water, electricity, and connectivity in our respective countries,” he said.

Lastly, Teodoro pointed to the importance of frank and open exchanges as defense and military officials gather for this week’s defence ministers’ meeting, underscoring the threats that exist in the region that affect the safety of citizens, as well as regional stability.
In the spirit of candor and ASEAN solidarity, he said each country’s public pronouncements are guided by its respective national policies and diplomatic considerations, but there must be trust and confidence during the meetings.

“However, we hope we can speak amongst us in an atmosphere of trust, confidence, and candor, especially in our bilateral meetings and other engagements on the sideline,” he said. “In this manner, we can promote mutual understanding, find common ground, and better address the challenges that we face as individual nations and as a collective whole.”

Teodoro earlier led the welcome rites for the ASEAN defense ministers as the Philippines, through the Department of National Defense (DND), hosts the 20th ADMM and the 13th ADMM-Plus on October 28-29, 2026, in Lapu-Lapu City, as part of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship.