The Philippines is proactively seeking enhanced defense cooperation with Malaysia and Thailand amidst growing geopolitical developments impacting the Indo-Pacific region, according to a recent statement from the Department of National Defense (DND).
During the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat held in Penang, Malaysia on February 26, 2025, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. conducted bilateral meetings with his Malaysian and Thai counterparts to discuss collaborative responses to shared regional security challenges.
Increasing Cooperation with Malaysia
Secretary Teodoro and Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin agreed on the importance of deepening their nations’ defense partnership, particularly focusing on areas like maritime security, terrorism prevention, and capability-building initiatives. Emphasis was also placed on human capital development, especially within cybersecurity sectors, aiming to safeguard against malign external influences.
The Philippines extended gratitude to Malaysia for their prompt humanitarian assistance following a series of devastating typhoons last year, which had significantly impacted Filipino communities. Last year’s natural crises involved six successive typhoons—Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito—that struck within a span of three weeks.
Malaysia quickly responded by deploying the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Eurocopter EC725 Caracal helicopter and a crew team to aid humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations. Highlighting the pressing threats posed by natural disasters, Teodoro underscored the necessity for ongoing regional improvements in crisis preparedness and response capabilities.
Additionally, the defense ministers acknowledged existing territorial disagreements over areas in eastern Sabah. Both parties stressed diplomatic cooperation as essential in continuing constructive dialogues and addressing other crucial mutual concerns.
Enhancing Partnership with Thailand
In a parallel meeting, Teodoro discussed significant defense cooperation initiatives with Thailand’s Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The two emphasized their longstanding relationship spanning over seven decades, highlighting ongoing initiatives in intelligence sharing, equipment acquisition, military training exchanges, collaborative humanitarian disaster responses, and military medicine.
Furthermore, the defense chiefs tackled critical issues such as risks related to widespread slash-and-burn agricultural methods and uncontrolled burning practices, which escalate dangers to communities through fires and airborne pollution.
Wechayachai expressed a mutual commitment toward enhanced regional stability and effective crisis management, aligning closely with ASEAN nations’ collective approach in securing the Indo-Pacific region.
Teodoro reiterated the importance of unified ASEAN responses, advocating for stronger integration amongst member states to robustly address evolving security threats, ensuring ongoing regional peace, stability, and prosperity.