Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. urged member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reject intimidation and military coercion in light of ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
Teodoro delivered this appeal during his opening remarks at the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, which the Philippines co-chaired alongside Japan.
He structured his address around three main pillars: reinforcing international law, advancing maritime security cooperation, and safeguarding global interdependence, food security, and migrant workers.
Emphasizing compliance with global norms, Teodoro stated that regional cooperation must remain rooted in mutual respect, the United Nations Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“ASEAN member states and dialogue partners share the same principles, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat for use of force,” Teodoro said, adding, “These principles have bound us over the decades, and they must continue to guide us in the years ahead.”
For his second point, Teodoro highlighted that high-level defense platforms like the ADMM-Plus should actively drive concrete advancements in maritime security. He expressed gratitude to partner nations for supporting security initiatives, including protecting critical subsea infrastructure and building people-to-people ties.
“Exchanges among our youth, in particular, will enable them to develop at an early age, the network of trust, cooperation that they will need to hold when they hold the reins of leadership in the future. This must be subsumed under a regime of respect of international law and UNCLOS,” he noted.
Addressing his third point, the Defense Secretary warned that disruptions to the global system and international supply chains directly threaten public welfare. He called for joint efforts to stabilize food and energy supplies and urged special protections for vulnerable workers caught in overseas conflicts.
“We therefore welcome cooperation on food and energy security amid supply chain challenges and conflicts overseas. We likewise seek your cooperation in safeguarding migrant workers and seafarers from smaller countries, including ASEAN member states who have been caught in crossfires,” Teodoro said.
He further emphasized, “We wish to reiterate what we have said in other defense dialogues this year. 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.”
During the two-day summit, Teodoro announced the formal signing of two key outcome documents: a joint statement celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the Manila Joint Declaration marking the 20th anniversary of the ADMM.
“These documents outline our collective commitment to promoting adherence to our shared principles and strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality in our relations with you, our dialogue partners,” he stated.
The event concluded with the Philippines handing over the ADMM and ADMM-Plus chairmanship to Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing during a turnover ceremony in Cebu.