PH, Japan, ASEAN,Plus Countries Cap Off Week ofADMM-Plus Maritime Activities

SUBIC, Zambales — From the conference room to the open sea, maritime security delegates from ASEAN Member States and Plus Partner countries came together to strengthen cooperation, exchange expertise, and build greater understanding of shared maritime challenges as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security (EWG on MS) Joint Cooperative Activity (JCA) and Future Leaders’ Program (FLP) concluded on September 25, 2026.
The week-long activity brought participating countries together through a series of shore-based and at-sea engagements designed to strengthen interoperability, facilitate knowledge exchange, and enhance practical cooperation in the maritime domain.
Participating ADMM countries included the Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines,Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Plus partners like Australia, Japan, India, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States. France and United Kingdom also participated as international observers.
The closing ceremony featured remarks from Rear Admiral Edwin M Nera PN and Rear Admiral Terada Hiroyuki JMSDF (Ret), Co-Chairs of the ADMM-Plus EWG on MS, who highlighted the importance of sustaining dialogue and cooperation in addressing common maritime security concerns.
Serving as Guest of Honor and Speaker, Major General Edwin E Amadar PN(M), Vice Commander, Philippine Navy, underscored the significance of the multilateral engagement, emphasizing that the ASEAN-led initiative further reinforces cooperation in addressing shared maritime challenges in support of a stable, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.
The JCA and FLP featured subject matter expert exchanges, discussions on key maritime security issues, shipboard activities, and coordinated at-sea exercises, providing participants opportunities to share expertise, strengthen interoperability, and enhance practical cooperation.
As co-chairs of the ADMM-Plus EWG on MS, the Philippines and Japan continue to advance initiatives that bring regional and international partners together in pursuit of greater understanding and cooperation toward a secure, peaceful, and resilient maritime region.