Security deal with ASEAN mulled
In the future, we firmly believe that this platform shall continue to play an important role of inclusivity and adaptability in the evolving regional architecture and maintaining a proactive part in the region and beyond.
The Philippines is eyeing to work closely with the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in addressing the prevailing traditional and non-traditional security issues in the region.
At this week’s ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Retreat and 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting -Plus, Department of National Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. has echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s pronouncements on the destabilizing actions in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, normalizing the use of conventional weapons, major power rivalry, instability from disputes and conflict, and the significant developments in Ukraine, Myanmar and the Korean Peninsula.
Aside from these traditional security threats, Faustino said that climate change is likewise considered one of the most pressing challenges in the ASEAN region, wherein an increasing vulnerability of populations to disasters has been notable over the years.
“In the future, we firmly believe that this platform shall continue to play an important role of inclusivity and adaptability in the evolving regional architecture and maintaining a proactive part in the region and beyond,” Faustino said, pertaining to the recently concluded meeting.
At the sidelines of the event, Faustino met with the heads of delegation from Australia, Cambodia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United States and VietNam for a brief opportunity to advance bilateral defense cooperation. Shared views on regional security developments were also discussed.
Meanwhile, the meeting welcomed Indonesia’s Chairmanship of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus in 2023.