ASEANEWS HEADLINE-ASIA GEOPOLITICS | 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) | CEBU, Philippines: US proposes new defense cooperation framework with ASEAN
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaves after attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu on Oct. 28, 2026.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9yn4q9mVSc
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FULL: Hegseth Proposes New US ASEAN Defense Framework During Cebu Meeting | News Central | AC1F
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joins Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ informal meeting in Cebu. Hegseth outlines President Trump’s “peace through strength” vision for a secure Indo-Pacific, emphasizing a “strong, quiet, and clear” approach to deter aggression, maintain freedom of navigation, and propose a new US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework. LIVE FROM Cebu: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds talks with ASEAN defense ministers during the annual meeting with dialogue partners. High-level discussions focus on regional security as the United States engages key Southeast Asian nations. Watch live coverage of the meetings in the Philippines. For more details, watch our story and subscribe to our channel, News Central. Pete Hegseth, ASEAN, Defense ministers, Cebu meeting, US ASEAN, Hegseth ASEAN, Philippines, Regional security, ASEAN defense, News Central
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At A Glance
- US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth proposed a new US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework to guide regional military partnerships over the next several years, with preparations expected to begin as Singapore assumes the ADMM-Plus chairmanship.
- Hegseth identified maritime domain awareness, naval cooperation and military interoperability as key priorities while Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. stressed the importance of sustained US engagement in maintaining Indo-Pacific stability.
- ASEAN defense ministers adopted five initiatives covering youth exchanges, defense dialogue, maritime security, chemical, biological and radiological threats, and meeting protocols as the Philippines marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the 20th anniversary of the ADMM.
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United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (right) delivers his remarks during the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Oct. 28, 2026 where he proposed developing a new US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework to deepen military ties and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. Listening seated beside him is Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Courtesy of RTVM livestream)
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Hegseth pushes US-ASEAN defense framework as China scales back at talks
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The United States on Wednesday, Oct. 28, proposed developing a new framework for defense cooperation with Southeast Asian nations as Washington seeks to strengthen military partnerships and maintain regional stability amid security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the proposal during the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, held on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) under the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN chairship.
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“Next year marks the 50th anniversary formally of US-ASEAN relations, an important milestone, and in recognition of this milestone, we propose that we work together to develop a US-ASEAN framework for defense cooperation, a practical framework that guides our cooperation over the next several years,” Hegseth said.
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Details of the said defense frameworks have yet to be specifically discussed by ASEAN defense leaders and Hegseth although he said Washington was ready to begin work on the proposal with Singapore as it prepares to assume the ADMM-Plus chairmanship from the Philippines.
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Hegseth described the US approach to regional security as “strong, quiet, and clear,” saying Washington wanted to deter aggression without provoking unnecessary escalation.
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“Strong enough to deter coercion and aggression, quiet enough to avoid needless escalation or public theatrics, and to let our actions speak for themselves, but are clear enough that our friends, our partners, and potential adversaries understand precisely where the United States stands and that we will defend our interests and the interests of our allies and partners,” he said.
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He said the approach was based on “peace through strength” and emphasized that the United States was willing to work with ASEAN members according to their circumstances, priorities and shared interests.
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Hegseth identified maritime domain awareness, interoperability and cooperation among navies as key areas for practical collaboration.
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“These are not symbolic things. They are concrete demonstrations of what serious partners do,” he said, adding that joint training and planning could build the confidence and competence needed to prevent conflict.
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He also cited cooperation to sustain the ceasefire along the Cambodia-Thailand border as an example of regional coordination, saying ASEAN’s leadership had demonstrated what the bloc could achieve when it acted with purpose and resolve.
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Valuable ally
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Meanwhile, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the US engagement, saying a sustained American presence was necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.
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“We value the United States’ sustained engagement with the defense establishments of ASEAN as a robust US presence is necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Teodoro said.
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The DND chief also thanked Washington for supporting ASEAN centrality and participating in ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ADMM-Plus, which brings together ASEAN defense ministers and their eight dialogue partners.
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Teodoro cited the second ASEAN-US maritime exercise, in which the Philippine Navy participated in Indonesia in December 2025, and Washington’s support for the Philippines and Japan as co-chairs of the current ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security.
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He also welcomed the participation of the US Navy and Air Force in a joint cooperative activity hosted by the Philippines in Subic last month.
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Teodoro said Manila hopes to build on these initiatives as he stressed the importance of freedom of navigation to regional security and prosperity.
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He cited their cooperation in military medicine, cybersecurity, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
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Last month, the Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed personnel to Exercise Trident Resolve in Indonesia, where participants worked with ADMM-Plus partners in these areas.
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Teodoro urged delegates to exchange views openly on regional security challenges to strengthen trust and produce practical results.
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ADMM initiatives
The informal meeting coincided with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States..
It also took place as the Philippines marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the 20th anniversary of the ADMM.
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The two milestones were commemorated through the adoption of a joint statement on the treaty’s 50th anniversary and the Manila Joint Declaration on the 20th anniversary of the ADMM.
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Earlier on the day, ASEAN defense ministers adopted five new initiatives covering youth exchanges, defense dialogue coordination, maritime security, chemical, biological and radiological threats, and meeting protocols.
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These included a proposed ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Young Leaders’ Exchange Programme; stronger links between ADMM-Plus and ASEAN Regional Forum defense dialogues; a conference on maritime security resilience amid emerging technologies; a 2027 conference on chemical, biological and radiological threats; and a guide to ADMM and ADMM-Plus practices and protocols.
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Cambodian Secretary of State for National Defense Lt. Gen. Rath Dararoth, representing Cambodia as country coordinator for ASEAN-US dialogue relations for 2024 to 2027, also reaffirmed Phnom Penh’s commitment to a constructive and forward-looking partnership with Washington.
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Dararoth expressed appreciation for US cooperation with ASEAN, saying dialogue and practical engagement under the comprehensive strategic partnership had supported regional cooperation and mutual understanding.
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