LAPU-LAPU CITY — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday urged Asean member states and their dialogue partners to strengthen regional security cooperation, uphold international law and protect migrant workers and seafarers caught in overseas conflicts.
Opening the 13th Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Teodoro outlined three priorities for regional defense cooperation.
These include adherence to international law, continued progress in joint security initiatives, and collective responses to disruptions affecting food and energy security.
“Our functional cooperation must remain rooted in mutual respect and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Charter and the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Teodoro said.
He stressed the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, avoiding interference in internal affairs, settling disputes peacefully and renouncing the threat or use of force.
Teodoro also urged delegates to sustain progress under the ADMM-Plus framework and cited participating countries for supporting the Philippines and Japan as co-chairs of the experts working group on maritime security.
He highlighted cooperation on maritime security, the protection of critical underwater infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.
This particularly among young people who can build trust and cooperation before assuming future leadership roles.
The defense chief called for stronger cooperation on food and energy security as supply chain challenges and overseas conflicts threaten regional stability.
He also urged participating countries to protect migrant workers and seafarers, particularly those from smaller countries, including ASEAN members, who have been caught in crossfire.
“The international order must have a special obligation to protect migrant workers and seafarers in recognition of their vital contributions to the global economy and the way of life of the countries wherein they serve,” he said.
Teodoro cited two outcome documents that Asean defense ministers signed on Wednesday: a joint statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Manila Joint Declaration marking the ADMM’s 20th anniversary, titled “Navigating Our Future Together.”
The documents reaffirmed the participating countries’ commitment to shared principles, Asean unity and Asean centrality in relations with dialogue partners.
Teodoro also welcomed South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, who attended the ADMM-Plus for the first time.
The Philippine delegation included Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino; undersecretaries Ignacio Madriaga, Salvador Melchor Mison and Fabian Pedregosa; assistant secretaries Marita I. Yoro, Arsenio R. Andolong, Romeo De La Cruz and Simplicius Adicer; and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete.
The ADMM-Plus brings together 11 Asean member states and eight dialogue partners — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States — for regional defense dialogue and practical security cooperation.
The Philippines hosted the meetings on Oct. 28 and 29 as part of its 2026 Asean chairmanship.
