Security and Global Affairs🕊

Aidan Bernales - Rappler9:11 AM

Philippine, Australian troops hold war games in Samar Nearly 400 Filipino and Australian soldiers are participating in a monthlong joint military exercise in Samar as the Philippine Army continues operations against communist rebels in Eastern Visayas. Exercise Kasangga 2026, which opened on October 19 and runs until November 16, involves about 300 Philippine Army personnel and nearly 100 Australian troops. The training covers intelligence, jungle warfare, troop maneuver, fire support and logistics, among other areas, says Major General Peter Burgonio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division. He adds that security had improved in the region, although insurgents remained in Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Eastern Samar. Burgonio says the Army division aims to end the communist rebellion in Eastern Visayas by the first half of 2027, while cautioning that setting a deadline could pressure troops to rush operations. Photos courtesy of 8ID Public Affairs Office via Jazmin Bonifacio/Rappler

Aidan Bernales - Rappler9:12 AM

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Paolo Cootauco - Rappler2:51 PM

2 Air Force training planes crash in Batangas; 4 personnel killed Two SF-260 Philippine Air Force (PAF) training planes crashed at Fernando Air Base in Lipa, Batangas on Friday, October 23, leaving four military pilots dead. In a statement on Saturday, October 24, PAF mourned the pilots' deaths and said it would conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. @here

Djulienne Foster - Rappler9:04 AM

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. leads the opening of the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting at the Mactan Expo in Cebu province on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/LQPzHDETkJ8?si=lbH8h-YSF1qRa_Wr

YouTubeLIVE: Cebu hosts ASEAN defense ministers | October 28, 2026

Bea Cupin9:46 AM

Teodoro highlights South China Sea, “challenges” to smaller states in ASEAN meeting @here Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) on Wednesday, October 28, emphasizes the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the need for cohesion and unity between members of the bloc. "It is only when we are united that we can effectively uphold ASEAN centrality and the principles that bind us, such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes and renunciation of the threat or use of force. ASEAN was founded on the belief that our strength lies in our diversity. We must therefore not allow our differences to divide us from within. And where such differences exist, including in the South China Sea, we will settle them through peaceful and legal means," said Teodoro.

Bea Cupin9:47 AM

MEANWHILE — Foreign Secretary Ma Theresa Lazaro, who is also the ASEAN chair's special envoy to Myanmar, will be undertaking a humanitarian mission to Myanmar from 28 to 29 October, the DFA says. @here

Djulienne Foster - Rappler9:54 AM

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. leads his counterparts from Southeast Asia for the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting at the Mactan Expo in Cebu province on Wednesday, October 28.

Bea Cupin11:38 AM

NO CHINA DEFENSE MINISTER AT ADMM-Plus IN CEBU China will only be sending its defence attaché ​at the Chinese ‌embassy to the Philippines for tomorrow's ADMM-Plus meeting in Cebu province, China's defense ministry said on October 27, according to a Reuters report. ADMM Chair and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had said on October 23 that an invitation was sent to Beijing for the meeting. @here

Bea Cupin8:14 PM

PH, US agree to 'alliance command and control modernization sprint' In a readout, the Pentagon says US Defense Chief Pete Hegseth and Philippine Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro "discussed progress on security cooperation, alliance modernization, and posture initiatives." "They agreed to launch an alliance command and control modernization sprint to enhance real-time bilateral coordination and strengthen alliance resilience. They also welcomed progress operationalizing the bilateral Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, including investments in critical infrastructure and storage facilities across the Philippines." @here

Bea Cupin8:14 PM

US announces increase in security cooperation funds to boost AFP modernization Says a Pentagon readout: "Secretary Hegseth announced an increase in the Department of War's security cooperation funds to accelerate the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization and enhance interoperability along the First Island Chain."

Bea Cupin8:42 PM

PH, Japan raise ‘serious concern’ over ‘China’s coercive activities’ near Japan, in South China Sea @here No new announcements from a joint release by the Philippines and Japan following a bilateral meeting between Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Minister Koizumi Shinjiro from today, but here’s a few key points: - Joint statement highlights opposition to China’s actions at sea and in the air. Reiteration of “strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.” “They also shared serious concerns over the increasing scale and frequency of China’s coercive activities in the waters and airspace surrounding Japan, as well as developments in the South China Sea, including the continuation and intensification of dangerous, coercive activities by China against the Philippines.” - Commitment to existing defense ties between the two countries — the Reciprocal Access Agreement, Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, among others - An “urgent need to secure a foundation for information sharing, including the establishment of relevant institutional frameworks” to further strengthen operational cooperation. “They confirmed that both defense authorities would extend their fullest cooperation to negotiations between the two governments on an agreement on the protection of classified military information.” - Abukuma-class destroyers should be transfered to PH “at the earliest possible date.” Japan will also be training Philippine sailors prior to the transfer. - Planned transfer of TC-90 aircraft should happen by the end of 2027. - Commitment to the SQUAD or the Australia-Japan-Philippines-United States framework for defense cooperation, as well as existing ASEAN frameworks

Sabrina Joyce Go - Rappler8:51 AM

Southeast Asian defense ministers welcome their counterparts and representatives from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States for the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus at the Mactan Expo in Cebu province on Thursday, October 29, 2026. @here https://www.youtube.com/live/8Zh2O6JRXrY

YouTubeLIVE: ASEAN defense chiefs, partner countries gather in Cebu | October 29, 2026

Bea Cupin9:01 AM

LOOK: China's defense attache to the Philippines is received by Defense Undersecretary Ignacio B. Madriaga ahead of the ADMM-Plus meeting in Cebu today. Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. had earlier received his counterparts and representatives from the Plus countries.

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Bea Cupin9:36 AM

PH, India defense chiefs meet in Cebu Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Indian Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh on October 28, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus. India is a Plus partner of the ADMM. According to a release from the Philippines: “Both sides discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in maritime security, space, cybersecurity, and other areas of mutual interest. Secretary Teodoro likewise emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties and diversifying the Philippines' supply chains, identifying India as a strategic partner and alternative source of essential commodities.” (DND photos)

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Bea Cupin10:43 AM

Philippines, Australia tackle ‘China's expansionist ambitions and coercive actions’ in defense bilateral Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles on October 28 discussed “the regional security situation amid China's expansionist ambitions and coercive actions” in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting and ADMM Plus in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Australia is among the Philippines’ closest defense partners. The two countries are expected to sign a Defense Cooperation Arrangement in November 2026, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Manila, according to a Philippine defense department release. Said the DND: “On training and exercises, the two discussed the possible inclusion of other Status of Visiting Forces Agreement partners and the development of Exercise ALON in scale and complexity with each iteration.” Manila's other SOVFA partners include New Zealand and France. The Philippines also has an RAA with Japan. (DND photos)

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Sabrina Joyce Go - Rappler3:52 PM

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. holds a press conference in Cebu province on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the second and final day of the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting and 13th ADMM-Plus. https://www.youtube.com/live/vTt5xaoehPo

YouTubeLIVE: Philippines’ Teodoro holds briefing as ASEAN defense chiefs’ Cebu meeting ends

Paolo Cootauco - Rappler7:18 PM

WATCH: Cebu plays host to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s premier defense diplomacy event from October 28 and 29, where South China Sea issues, the Philippines' defense partners, and souring ties between Beijing and Manila grab the spotlight. Rappler’s Bea Cupin wraps the two day-event in this live report. https://www.youtube.com/live/preeN-zwIi8 @here

YouTubeRappler Recap: China snub, ASEAN unity, regional threats in defense meeting

Bea Cupin6:54 PM

In a post on social media, Philippine Foreign Affaies Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said she had a "frank and constructive" call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on PH-China bilateral relations. "Both sides emphasized the need for continued diplomatic dialogue and the proper management of differences anchored on mutual respect," said Lazaro. @here