US defense chief Pete Hegseth arrives in Philippines for ASEAN security talks

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 28, 2026

Photo courtesy: Reuters

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday night, October 27, to attend a high-level ASEAN defense meeting aimed at strengthening regional security cooperation.

The US Department of War confirmed his arrival through a video shared on its official Facebook page.

Hegseth is among the defense officials gathering in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, for the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled for October 28 and 29.

The meetings bring together defense leaders from ASEAN’s 11 member states and eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.

With the theme “Navigating Our Future Together,” the discussions will focus on regional stability, emerging security challenges, and stronger defense cooperation.

Maritime security is expected to be a key topic, particularly amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea.

Other areas of cooperation include humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counterterrorism, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and cybersecurity.

For the Philippines, Hegseth’s visit also provides an opportunity to strengthen defense ties with the United States, its longtime treaty ally.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is expected to meet separately with Hegseth on the sidelines of the regional gathering.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the Philippines aims to advance discussions on strengthening the bilateral alliance, modernizing its defense capabilities, and expanding military cooperation.

However, specific agreements or outcomes from the planned meeting have yet to be announced.

The ADMM serves as ASEAN’s highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism, while the ADMM-Plus provides a broader platform for dialogue with major regional partners.

The expanded forum was established in 2010 to promote practical cooperation on shared defense and security concerns.

As ASEAN chair for 2026, the Philippines is leading the discussions, with Teodoro overseeing the meetings and related engagements.

The gathering also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which promotes respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful settlement of disputes.

On Thursday, October 29, the Philippines is scheduled to formally turn over the ADMM and ADMM-Plus chairmanship to Singapore, which will lead the regional defense mechanisms in 2027.