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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH ready to lead ASEAN defense cooperation in 2026, says Teodoro

PH ready to lead ASEAN defense cooperation in 2026, says Teodoro

Published Oct 31, 2025 12:30 pm
(L-R) Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin interact during their bilateral meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 30, 2025. (Photo: DND)
(L-R) Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin interact during their bilateral meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 30, 2025. (Photo: DND)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines is ready to take a more proactive role in strengthening regional defense cooperation as it prepares to assume the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus chairship in 2026.
Teodoro made the statement as he joined defense chiefs from Southeast Asia and partner nations at the 19th ADMM and 12th ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, Oct. 31.
As the next chair, the Philippines is expected to set the direction of defense cooperation discussions next year amid increasing maritime and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), where China continues to expand its presence.
Ahead of the meetings, Teodoro held bilateral talks with Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin on Thursday, Oct. 30, where they discussed preparations for the Philippines’ chairship and next year’s Trilateral Ministerial Meeting (TMM) with Indonesia and Malaysia.
He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to advancing regional peace and stability through ASEAN and trilateral mechanisms, and reiterated Manila’s commitment to “uphold a rules-based regional order and promote closer collaboration in addressing shared security challenges.”
They also recognized the importance of sustaining the Philippines–Malaysia defense partnership under the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, which serves as the foundation for ongoing bilateral activities, including training exchanges, maritime cooperation, and the Combined Committee on Defense Cooperation (CCDC).
Teodoro thanked Malaysia for its hospitality and expressed the Philippines’ readiness to continue working with ASEAN partners “to keep the region peaceful, stable, and secure.”
The ADMM and ADMM-Plus serve as ASEAN’s primary platforms for defense dialogue and practical cooperation with key partners.

Related Tags

DND ADMM ADMM-Plus ASEAN defense cooperation Philippines Malaysia Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
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