Photo credit: DND

The Philippine delegation, led by Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning, Usec. Ignacio B. Madriaga, marked a historic day on Thursday as they attended two major celebrations—the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations and the 35th Anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations. These events were held on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 11th ADMM-Plus.

What makes these partnerships so special? For one, they underscore decades of collaboration aimed at fostering peace, economic growth, and regional security. In short, it’s about neighbors helping neighbors, with the ultimate goal of creating a safer and more prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

Usec. Madriaga’s participation is a clear nod to the Philippines’ commitment to keeping these alliances strong. These relationships aren’t just about defense; they’re also about shared goals in innovation, sustainable development, and cultural exchanges.

Moments like these are a reminder that partnerships matter, and with ASEAN, Australia, and South Korea all on the same page, the future of the region looks bright.