Cebu:An interoperability exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) is among the most significant achievements of the recently concluded ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, According to Philippine defense chief.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the importance of the interoperability exercise, which was reported during the meeting. This exercise catalogued year-long activities conducted by working groups and various armed forces within ASEAN. Teodoro stated that the ASEAN conducted its first interoperability exercise focusing on HADR and other ground-based exercises.

Teodoro referred to Exercise Trident Resolve 2026, which was held from September 20 to 26, 2026, in Banten, Indonesia. The exercise focused on HADR, military medicine, and cybersecurity, involving around 2,200 personnel from 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, along with observer nations and civilian agencies. It is noted as the largest ADMM-Plus exercise in the past decade.

Additionally, Teodoro highlighted the first joint cooperative activity led by the ASEAN-Plus Experts Working Group on Maritime Security in Subic, Zambales on September 13. This event was attended by naval crafts from the Philippines, U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand, India, Singapore, and Brunei.

Teodoro remarked on the progress made by the consensus-based organization over the past 20 years. He indicated that the major focus is on addressing increasingly volatile and unpredictable defense and security challenges. He stressed the need for ASEAN and ASEAN Plus engagement to evolve beyond traditional military or defense spheres to address hybrid threats, such as information threats.

In a separate discussion, Teodoro responded to advisories by Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States urging their citizens to stockpile food and essentials for at least three days. He described this as a matter of "good housekeeping," emphasizing the importance of having reserve stocks of food and emergency supplies, including batteries, especially in the event of strong typhoons or flooding.