Cebu:An interoperability exercise centered on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) has been identified as one of the most significant achievements of the recently concluded ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Cebu, According to Philippine defense chief.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized the importance of the ASEAN's first interoperability exercise focused on HADR, military medicine, and cyber security, known as Exercise Trident Resolve 2026. This exercise took place from September 20 to 26, 2026, in Banten, Indonesia, and was noted as the largest ADMM-Plus exercise in a decade, involving approximately 2,200 personnel from 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, alongside observer nations and civilian agencies.

Teodoro also highlighted the first joint cooperative activity initiated by the ASEAN-Plus Experts Working Group on Maritime Security in Subic, Zambales, on September 13. This event involved naval crafts from countries including the Philippines, the U.S., Australia, Japan, New Zealand, India, Singapore, and Brunei. He noted the progress over 20 years for the consensus-based organization, emphasizing the need for a dynamic approach to address evolving defense and security challenges posed by hybrid threats, which combine military and non-military methods.

In a separate context, Teodoro commented on advisories from the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, encouraging their citizens to stock up on essential items. He described this as good housekeeping, emphasizing the importance of having reserve food supplies, batteries, and emergency supplies on hand in case of strong typhoons or flooding.