Philippines and Timor Leste eye formalisation of defence cooperation

Philippines Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro attends the Asean-Japan Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting at the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on November 1, 2025. -- Photo by FAZRY ISMAIL / AFP

MANILA (Bernama-PNA): The Philippines is looking to develop a closer defence partnership with Timor-Leste as the young nation formally becomes part of the Asean members, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. expressed Manila’s intention during a bilateral meeting with Timor-Leste’s Defence Minister, Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 31.