CEBU CITY – The Philippines reminded its Southeast Asian neighbors of its time-honored principles of “restraint, dialogue, and adherence” to international, as a way to preserve peace and stability in the region.
In her opening remarks during the opening of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) Retreat in Cebu City, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed concern over the challenges in the current global geopolitical security environment.
“Security challenges facing ASEAN have not only grown, but have also evolved and diversified,” Lazaro said.
“The global geopolitical security environment has not only become more challenging, but it's also become more complex and interconnected,” she added.
Lazaro mentioned that across the region, there are tensions at sea, protracted internal conflicts and unresolved border and humanitarian concerns.
She also said that developments beyond Southeast Asia, such as unilateral actions that carry cross-regional implications, continue to affect regional stability.
Such developments erode multilateral institutions and erodes the base international order, Lazaro lamented.
Earlier, Southeast Asian ministers held a closed-door meeting to discuss possible solutions to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, after a military junta took over its civilian government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, in February 2021.
Another pressing regional matter is the Cambodia and Thailand border conflict, when the territorial dispute escalated into a direct armed confrontation on July 2025 along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Beyond the region, world leaders expressed concern regarding the United States’ military actions in Venezuela, arresting former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, for conspiracy and drug-related charges.
In the South China Sea, aggressive actions from China, such as the use of high-pressure water cannons and dangerous maneuvers, prompted serious concerns from several countries, when it blocked Philippine Coast Guard and government vessels undergoing legitimate patrols and humanitarian assistance to Filipino fishermen.
Lazaro stressed that the meeting today will allow the ministers to “take stock of ASEAN’s priorities” and exchange views on regional and global developments that directly affect the region.
“The Philippines stands ready to work closely with all ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretary and our external partners to ensure that our Chairship Year delivers meaningful and practical benefits for the ASEAN community,” Lazaro stated.
