Seoul: The Philippines and Mongolia are looking into exploring collaboration in several key areas, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and counterterrorism, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance their defense relations. This initiative was discussed during a meeting between Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his Mongolian counterpart, Batlut Damba, on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2025 in South Korea.
According to Philippines News Agency, aside from HADR and counterterrorism, a DND statement on Wednesday said the two officials also agreed to explore practical collaboration in peacekeeping operations. "Both also discussed the potential for joint military training, capacity-building programs, and cooperative disaster relief operations," the DND added. Both officials also reaffirmed their respective country's commitment to further strengthening defense relations.
"The two Ministers emphasized the full implementation of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation, underscoring its importance in advancing mutual security interests," the DND said. Damba expressed appreciation for the Philippines' participation in Khaan Quest, an annual multinational military exercise hosted by Mongolia, and proposed initiating educational exchanges, particularly between their national defense colleges.
Teodoro, meanwhile, welcomed the proposal and emphasized the value of fostering mutual understanding, trust, and regional knowledge between their armed forces. He suggested expanding the exchange program to include technical experts, research officers, and civilian personnel from the DND and its bureaus. The two defense chiefs also extended invitations for official visits to each other's country.
Teodoro invited Mongolia's disaster management officials to engage in collaborative efforts, particularly in disaster preparedness and response. "The two officials also committed to continued cooperation within the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) defense dialogues. Both representing developing nations, they also expressed a shared interest in expanding cooperation across various sectors and strengthening people-to-people ties," the DND said.
Teodoro and Damba exchanged views on their efforts to strengthen contributions to United Nations missions, with emphasis on increasing the participation of women peacekeepers. The two ended their meeting with both sides pledging to work closely together to enhance regional stability and security.
