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LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged ASEAN member states and their eight dialogue partners to prioritize international law and strengthen regional defense cooperation during the opening of the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on Thursday. In his opening remarks, Teodoro outlined three primary objectives for the regional defense mechanism. He first emphasized that cooperation must remain anchored in international law, specifically citing the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He reiterated the importance of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Secondly, Teodoro called for the continuation of progress made under the ADMM-Plus framework. He highlighted the Philippines and Japan’s co-chairmanship of the Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security and cited the Joint Cooperative Activity and Future Leaders Program held in Subic last September as successful models for practical defense engagement. He noted that such initiatives are essential for enhancing maritime security, disaster resilience, and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. For his third priority, the defense chief advocated for increased collaboration regarding food and energy security, citing global supply chain disruptions and ongoing international conflicts. He further emphasized the responsibility of the international community to protect migrant workers and seafarers, noting their significant contributions to the global economy and their vulnerability in conflict zones. The meeting followed the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting held on Wednesday, where officials adopted two key documents: the Joint Statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the Manila Joint Declaration on the 20th Anniversary of ADMM, titled "Navigating Our Future Together." These documents reaffirm the bloc's commitment to regional cooperation and ASEAN centrality. The ADMM-Plus includes ASEAN members alongside Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. Teodoro welcomed South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, who attended the forum for the first time. China was represented by Senior Capt. Yang Lei, its defense attaché to the Philippines, who was received by Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga. According to Chinese state media, this represents the lowest-ranking representative Beijing has sent to an ADMM-Plus meeting to date. The ADMM-Plus proceedings followed informal meetings held Wednesday between ASEAN defense ministers and their counterparts from the United States and Japan, attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, respectively. Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged ASEAN member states and their eight dialogue partners to prioritize international law and strengthen regional defense cooperation during the opening of the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on Thursday. In his opening remarks, Teodoro outlined three primary objectives for the regional defense mechanism. He first emphasized that cooperation must remain anchored in international law, specifically citing the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He reiterated the importance of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Secondly, Teodoro called for the continuation of progress made under the ADMM-Plus framework. He highlighted the Philippines and Japan’s co-chairmanship of the Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security and cited the Joint Cooperative Activity and Future Leaders Program held in Subic last September as successful models for practical defense engagement. He noted that such initiatives are essential for enhancing maritime security, disaster resilience, and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. For his third priority, the defense chief advocated for increased collaboration regarding food and energy security, citing global supply chain disruptions and ongoing international conflicts. He further emphasized the responsibility of the international community to protect migrant workers and seafarers, noting their significant contributions to the global economy and their vulnerability in conflict zones. The meeting followed the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting held on Wednesday, where officials adopted two key documents: the Joint Statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the Manila Joint Declaration on the 20th Anniversary of ADMM, titled “Navigating Our Future Together.” These documents reaffirm the bloc’s commitment to regional cooperation and ASEAN centrality. The ADMM-Plus includes ASEAN members alongside Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States. Teodoro welcomed South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, who attended the forum for the first time. China was represented by Senior Capt. Yang Lei, its defense attaché to the Philippines, who was received by Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga. According to Chinese state media, this represents the lowest-ranking representative Beijing has sent to an ADMM-Plus meeting to date. The ADMM-Plus proceedings followed informal meetings held Wednesday between ASEAN defense ministers and their counterparts from the United States and Japan, attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, respectively.
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