Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held key bilateral talks with defense leaders from Japan, Ukraine, and the Netherlands during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, held from May 30 to June 1, 2025.
In his meeting with Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, the two agreed to deepen military cooperation. Japan expressed interest in joining more joint drills with the Philippines, like Balikatan and Kamandag, following the enforcement of the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement. They also discussed boosting collaboration in defense equipment development.
With Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Kozenko, Teodoro reiterated the Philippines’ support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Kozenko announced that Ukraine would soon post a defense attaché in Manila to strengthen ties. The Philippines is interested in Ukraine’s technological advancements, while Ukraine hopes to learn from the Philippines’ maritime disaster response and trauma recovery strategies. Both sides emphasized adherence to international law and the Geneva Conventions.
During his meeting with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, Teodoro shared interest in the Netherlands’ defense governance practices. Brekelmans affirmed support for a rules-based international order and proposed exploring joint military activities. Both parties exchanged invitations for future engagements to expand cooperation.