LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday, October 28, urged Southeast Asian nations to strengthen their solidarity against external pressures and settle all territorial disagreements through peaceful and legal frameworks, warning that internal divisions could undermine the bloc’s capacity to safeguard its shared interests.
Speaking at the commencement of the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) held in Cebu, Teodoro emphasized that regional unity has grown increasingly critical as shifts in the global landscape challenge the rights of smaller and archipelagic states.
“It is only when we are united that we can effectively uphold ASEAN Centrality and the principles that bind us, such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force,” Teodoro stated.
The Philippine defense chief underscored that existing maritime disputes, including those concerning the South China Sea, should not compromise regional cohesion.
“ASEAN was founded on the belief that our strength lies in our diversity. We must therefore not allow our differences to divide us from within, and where such differences exist, including in the South China Sea, we shall settle them through peaceful and legal means,” he added.
Manila continues to champion multilateral cooperation and adherence to international law, consistently invoking the 2016 arbitral tribunal award to protect its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea against ongoing maritime coercion.
Meanwhile, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped the upcoming ADMM-Plus on Thursday, October 29. Beijing instead delegated the defense attaché of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines to attend, marking the lowest-level representation from China at the security forum since it began in 2010.
The Chinese defense ministry noted that its delegate will engage with counterparts to foster dialogue and trust while reiterating Beijing’s backing for ASEAN centrality.
The high-level defense gathering coincides with the golden jubilee of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which was established in 1976 to foster lasting regional stability.
Teodoro noted that the treaty remains a foundational pillar for peace, while the ADMM has served as a crucial instrument for practical defense dialogue over the past twenty years.
The Philippines is currently hosting both the 20th ADMM and the 13th ADMM-Plus as part of its 2026 ASEAN chairship, themed “Navigating Our Future, Together.”