Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. arrived in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on Tuesday, October 27, ahead of two major ASEAN defense meetings aimed at strengthening regional security cooperation and addressing shared defense concerns.

Teodoro will chair the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled for October 28 to 29, as part of the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship.

The meetings will bring together defense ministers from ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners to discuss regional security challenges, defense cooperation, and matters of mutual interest.

As chair of both meetings, Teodoro is expected to lead discussions on strengthening defense dialogue and cooperation among participating countries.

He is also scheduled to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with his counterparts to explore opportunities for closer defense partnerships and address shared security priorities.

The high-level engagements form part of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” which emphasizes regional cooperation in addressing common challenges.

Upon his arrival, Teodoro was welcomed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas Command chief Major General Moises Micor, Tactical Operations Wing Central commander Brigadier General Sheillah Grace Vicente, and Naval Forces Central commander Commodore Junjie Tabuada.

Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Junard Chan and Defense Assistant Secretary Marita Yoro were also among the officials who received the defense secretary.

Accompanying Teodoro were AFP Chief of Staff General Antonio Nafarrete and Northern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Aristotle Gonzalez.

The ADMM serves as ASEAN’s highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism, while the ADMM-Plus provides a platform for ASEAN countries and their dialogue partners to strengthen practical defense and security cooperation.

The meetings are expected to provide opportunities for participating countries to exchange views on regional security developments and advance initiatives aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.