CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), led by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., hosted the 23rd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (ACDFM) on May 21 at Conrad Hotel, Pasay City, Manila, with simultaneous video teleconferencing via Cisco Webex.
The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN’s shared commitment to regional peace, stability, and collective security cooperation amid evolving regional and global security challenges.
Held under the theme “Securing Our Future, Together,” the meeting gathered military leaders from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. During the meeting, member-states adopted the ASEAN Militaries Two-Year Activity Work Plan 2026–2028 and the 23rd ACDFM Joint Statement, reinforcing ASEAN’s commitment to deeper defense collaboration, interoperability, and regional stability.
In his remarks, General Brawner underscored the importance of ASEAN Centrality, and sustained defense cooperation in addressing increasingly interconnected security concerns confronting the region.“In a world defined by unpredictability, no nation can stand alone,” General Brawner said. He also emphasized that the current global security environment requires stronger coordination and collective action among ASEAN member-states. “Our responses must be collective, coordinated, and comprehensive. Our unity is not just a sentiment, but a functional force.”
General Brawner emphasized the need to recognize that the ASEAN strength lies not only in individual capabilities, but more importantly in the shared identity and solidarity. “We are more than just neighboring states; we are, in many ways, SEAblings—siblings in Southeast Asia—bound by geography, history, culture, and a common aspiration for peace and prosperity,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a symbolic handover ceremony of the 24th ACDFM chairmanship from the Philippines to Singapore in 2027. General Brawner conveyed confidence in the leadership of Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force of Singapore Armed Forces, as incoming Chair, emphasizing that the AFP remains fully committed to supporting ASEAN defense cooperation and advancing initiatives that strengthen mutual trust, interoperability, and regional resilience. “We stand ready to work closely with you in further strengthening cooperation, mutual trust, and our shared commitment to a peaceful, secure, and stable ASEAN,” he said.
Photos by SSg Ambay PA, A1C Castro PAF, PFC Carmelotes PN(M) / PAOAFP
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