Latest news with #DepartmentofNationalDefense
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Teodoro holds bilateral talks with Japan, Ukraine, Netherlands
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and the Netherlands' Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans discuss rules-based international order and exploring joint military activities, among others, during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday, June 1, 2025. DND Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held separate bilateral meetings with defense officials of Japan, Ukraine, and The Netherlands on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue over the weekend, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Monday. Teodoro Jr. attended the 22nd International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from May 30 to June 1 to tackle security issues and defense ties with other nations. Japan Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Tokyo wants deeper involvement in joint drills with Manila like Balikatan and Kamandag upon the entry into force of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement. The two countries agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation in defense equipment production. To deter actions that undermine regional peace, Teodoro stressed the need for sustained bilateral and multilateral dialogues as he called for stronger alliances based on shared principles. Ukraine Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence Oleksandr Kozenko thanked the Philippines for its support to Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. A Ukrainian defense attaché will be assigned to Manila to develop bilateral defense ties, according to Kozenko. Teodoro said the Philippines wants to learn technological development from Ukraine, while Kozenko said Ukraine is also keen on learning maritime disaster response and post-trauma recovery from the Philippines. Both countries remain committed to international law. Ukraine vowed its adherence and strict compliance with the Geneva Conventions and openness to defense cooperation with the Philippines. The Netherlands Meanwhile, Teodoro expressed interest in learning from the Netherlands' best practices in defense governance. Dutch Minister of Defencs Ruben Brekelmans supported rules-based international order and expressed interest in exploring joint military activities with the Philippines. Teodoro and Brekelmans extended invitations for future visits, maintaining their intent to expand defense engagement and cooperation, according to the DND. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
US, SEA defense ministers meet in Singapore
Defense ministers and senior officials from the United States and Southeast Asian nations met in Singapore on Friday ahead of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit. In a press release, the Department of National Defense said the United States-Southeast Asia Defense Ministerial Meeting, which was attended by DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., focused on deepening defense cooperation and addressing shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber threats, and disaster response. Teodoro highlighted the significance of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's presence in the meeting as he expressed optimism about strengthening ASEAN's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US, including deeper cooperation in maritime security, cyber and emerging technologies, and capacity-building initiatives. 'Sustained US leadership is crucial, especially for the smaller states of Southeast Asia,' Teodoro said. On June 1, the final day of the three-day Shangri-La Dialogue, Teodoro will give a speech at the Sixth Plenary Session on Cross-Regional Security Interlinkages. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Canada and Philippines will sign a key defense pact to boost combat drills and military ties
Canada and the Philippines, both vocal critics of China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea, have concluded talks for a key defense pact that would allow their forces to hold joint combat drills and boost defense engagements, the Department of National Defense in Manila said Friday. Canada and other Western nations have been reinforcing their military presence in the Indo-Pacific to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment in the region. That dovetails with Philippine efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to broaden defense ties with friendly countries to bolster his country's defense as it faces an increasingly assertive China in the disputed South China Sea. The agreement with Canada 'will establish a framework for increased cooperation, fostering closer collaboration between defense and military establishments, improving interoperability between forces and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building exercises,' the Philippine defense department said. It is expected to allow larger joint exercises, including in the South China Sea off the western Philippines. No date was specified for signing the agreement but a Philippine official said that could happen in the next few months at the earliest. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday that the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China's aggression. Teodoro said China's hostile actions should be regarded as a global threat because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains. The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the United States and Australia that provide a legal framework for temporary visits by foreign troops and large-scale combat exercises. The Philippines signed a similar accord with Japan in July that's expected to be ratified by Japanese legislators by mid-year. Negotiations with New Zealand also recently concluded, and officials have been holding talks with France for a similar accord. Philippine authorities may seek visiting forces agreements with other countries including Germany, India and Singapore, Teodoro said. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China's, and territorial confrontations have flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years. In August, Canada joined the United States, Australia and the Philippines in air and naval maneuvers to promote the rule of law and unhindered passage in the South China Sea. China said it conducted air and sea combat patrols on the same day. Although no confrontations were reported, the Philippine military said three Chinese navy ships tailed the four-nation maneuvers. Last month Canadian Ambassador to Manila David Hartman said his country has 'been vocal in confronting the provocative and unlawful actions of the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea' and 'will continue to do so.' Canada signed an agreement on defense cooperation with the Philippines last year. Another agreement signed in Ottawa in 2023 gave the Philippines access to data from Canada's 'Dark Vessel Detection System,' which harnesses satellite technology to track illegal vessels even if they switch off their location-transmitting devices. The Philippine coast guard has used the high-tech Canadian technology to track Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels in the South China Sea.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada and Philippines will sign a key defense pact to boost combat drills and military ties
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Canada and the Philippines, both vocal critics of China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea, have concluded talks for a key defense pact that would allow their forces to hold joint combat drills and boost defense engagements, the Department of National Defense in Manila said Friday. Canada and other Western nations have been reinforcing their military presence in the Indo-Pacific to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment in the region. That dovetails with Philippine efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to broaden defense ties with friendly countries to bolster his country's defense as it faces an increasingly assertive China in the disputed South China Sea. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The agreement with Canada 'will establish a framework for increased cooperation, fostering closer collaboration between defense and military establishments, improving interoperability between forces and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building exercises,' the Philippine defense department said. It is expected to allow larger joint exercises, including in the South China Sea off the western Philippines. No date was specified for signing the agreement but a Philippine official said that could happen in the next few months at the earliest. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday that the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China's aggression. Teodoro said China's hostile actions should be regarded as a global threat because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains. The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the United States and Australia that provide a legal framework for temporary visits by foreign troops and large-scale combat exercises. The Philippines signed a similar accord with Japan in July that's expected to be ratified by Japanese legislators by mid-year. Negotiations with New Zealand also recently concluded, and officials have been holding talks with France for a similar accord. Philippine authorities may seek visiting forces agreements with other countries including Germany, India and Singapore, Teodoro said. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China's, and territorial confrontations have flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years. In August, Canada joined the United States, Australia and the Philippines in air and naval maneuvers to promote the rule of law and unhindered passage in the South China Sea. China said it conducted air and sea combat patrols on the same day. Although no confrontations were reported, the Philippine military said three Chinese navy ships tailed the four-nation maneuvers. Last month Canadian Ambassador to Manila David Hartman said his country has 'been vocal in confronting the provocative and unlawful actions of the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea' and 'will continue to do so.' Canada signed an agreement on defense cooperation with the Philippines last year. Another agreement signed in Ottawa in 2023 gave the Philippines access to data from Canada's 'Dark Vessel Detection System,' which harnesses satellite technology to track illegal vessels even if they switch off their location-transmitting devices. The Philippine coast guard has used the high-tech Canadian technology to track Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels in the South China Sea.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Canada and Philippines will sign a key defense pact to boost combat drills and military ties
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Canada and the Philippines, both vocal critics of China's increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea, have concluded talks for a key defense pact that would allow their forces to hold joint combat drills and boost defense engagements, the Department of National Defense in Manila said Friday. Canada and other Western nations have been reinforcing their military presence in the Indo-Pacific to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment in the region. That dovetails with Philippine efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to broaden defense ties with friendly countries to bolster his country's defense as it faces an increasingly assertive China in the disputed South China Sea. The agreement with Canada 'will establish a framework for increased cooperation, fostering closer collaboration between defense and military establishments, improving interoperability between forces and facilitating more effective joint exercises and capacity-building exercises,' the Philippine defense department said. It is expected to allow larger joint exercises, including in the South China Sea off the western Philippines. No date was specified for signing the agreement but a Philippine official said that could happen in the next few months at the earliest. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday that the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China's aggression. Teodoro said China's hostile actions should be regarded as a global threat because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains. The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the United States and Australia that provide a legal framework for temporary visits by foreign troops and large-scale combat exercises. The Philippines signed a similar accord with Japan in July that's expected to be ratified by Japanese legislators by mid-year. Negotiations with New Zealand also recently concluded, and officials have been holding talks with France for a similar accord. Philippine authorities may seek visiting forces agreements with other countries including Germany, India and Singapore, Teodoro said. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China's, and territorial confrontations have flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years. In August, Canada joined the United States, Australia and the Philippines in air and naval maneuvers to promote the rule of law and unhindered passage in the South China Sea. China said it conducted air and sea combat patrols on the same day. Although no confrontations were reported, the Philippine military said three Chinese navy ships tailed the four-nation maneuvers. Last month Canadian Ambassador to Manila David Hartman said his country has 'been vocal in confronting the provocative and unlawful actions of the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea' and 'will continue to do so.' Canada signed an agreement on defense cooperation with the Philippines last year. Another agreement signed in Ottawa in 2023 gave the Philippines access to data from Canada's 'Dark Vessel Detection System,' which harnesses satellite technology to track illegal vessels even if they switch off their location-transmitting devices. The Philippine coast guard has used the high-tech Canadian technology to track Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels in the South China Sea.
