US War chief Hegseth to visit PH; China invited to ASEAN defense meeting --DND

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United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is expected to visit the Philippines on Wednesday for the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM), the Department of National Defense (DND) said Tuesday.

At a press conference, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the Philippines was expecting Hegseth's visit.

However, Andolong said he could not yet provide details on the specific outcomes of Hegseth’s engagements with Philippine officials.

“At this point in time, I am unable to provide any information. However, I must say that on Thursday, during the turnover address of [Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.], he will provide information on this,” he said.

Manila’s broad priorities in its bilateral relations with the US include strengthening the alliance, defense modernization, and future capacity- and capability-building, according to Andolong.

The Philippines is set to host the 20th ADMM and the 13th ADMM-Plus from October 28 to 29 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, with the theme "Navigating Our Future Together."

Meanwhile, China has been invited to participate in the meetings, but its attendance has yet to be confirmed.

“What I know is that an invitation was extended, but as of this moment, we have no confirmation of their attendees,” Andolong said.

The ADMM is ASEAN's highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism.

The ADMM-Plus, established in 2010, expands defense cooperation to eight dialogue partners including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.

Andolong said the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea are expected to be among the topics discussed during the meetings. He noted that these maritime issues are almost always part of the ADMM discussions.

Other anticipated areas of cooperation include maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counterterrorism, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, humanitarian mine action, and cybersecurity.

The Philippines will formally turn over the ADMM and ADMM-Plus chairship to Singapore on Thursday.

The meetings also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, which upholds respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. —AOL, GMA News