Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. pressed for deeper and more coordinated regional defense cooperation in a series of high-level meetings with his United State, Singaporean, and Timor Leste counterparts on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, Oct. 31.

In their bilateral meeting, Teodoro and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth agreed to fast-track key defense priorities under the Philippines-US alliance.

Meanwhile, Teodoro and Singapore’s Minister for Defense Chan Chun Sing reaffirmed the growing partnership between Manila and Singapore.

Teodoro also moved quickly to formalize defense ties with Timor-Leste, the newest member of the ASEAN, following a meeting with Timor-Leste Minister of Defence Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes.

In his meeting with Hegseth, Teodoro underscored the importance of aligning military priorities and enhancing joint capabilities between Philippine and American forces in the next two years.

Both sides committed to refine existing defense activities and work more closely with other “like-minded partners” to boost interoperability and readiness for potential contingencies.

“The US-Philippine alliance should not be seen in isolation, because the alliance, and moving forward now, are based on fundamentals,” Teodoro said. “These fundamentals are respect for international law, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Hegseth, for his part, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), calling it “the bedrock” of the alliance. “We don't seek confrontation, but of course, we're ready to protect our interests, individually and mutually,” he said.

The two officials also discussed China’s increasingly assertive behavior in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and stressed the need for unified regional action to uphold freedom of navigation and the rules-based order.

Hegseth announced the establishment of “Task Force Philippines” aimed at increasing the two nations’ interoperability, exercises, and preparedness to respond to a crisis or aggression in the WPS.

“We look forward to deepening the alliance, not only for now but for future generations of freedom-loving people that both the United States and the Philippines represent,” Teodoro said.

In a separate bilateral meeting, Teodoro and Chan reaffirmed their countries’ long-standing defense ties, anchored on mutual respect and a shared vision for peace and stability. They also discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas such as training, information sharing, and capacity-building.

They expressed their commitment to maintaining regular exchanges and continuing close coordination within the framework of ASEAN defense cooperation.

The meeting followed their earlier engagement during the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue in May, signaling Manila’s push for sustained and high-level defense dialogues with ASEAN partners.

Teodoro welcomed Gomes on his inaugural participation in the ADMM as the 11th member of the regional defense community.

Building on the shared history, geography, and culture between the two nations, both defense chiefs agreed to immediately explore the formalization of a defense cooperation. Teodoro said the swift commitment "reflects a recognition of Timor-Leste as a natural partner for the Philippines in enhancing regional security."

The planned partnership will focus on concrete areas critical to both island nations, including maritime security, disaster risk resilience, and people-to-people exchanges.

Teodoro said the move aligns the Philippines and Timor-Leste with a shared commitment to enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation, contributing to the promotion of regional peace and stability within the broader ASEAN framework.

To maintain the momentum, the DND said that Gomes has expressed interest in visiting the Philippines "soon" to further strengthen bilateral defense relations, an offer Secretary Teodoro warmly accepted.