Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday urged veterans from the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations to promote peace and security in the region. 

Speaking at the 22nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Veterans Confederation, Teodoro underscored that the association was founded to foster understanding, peace and dialogue and influence the policies of the countries toward a more peaceful ASEAN region. 

He also emphasized the need to advocate for principled and sustainable peace and the building of trust between ASEAN countries. 

"You are here because you symbolize those who struggle individually to free your peoples from the bonds of colonialism and hindrance to seeking your own aspirations, the liberties of your people, and to provide your children, your grandchildren, or maybe your parents did so, to provide them a stable future," Teodoro told his audience. 

He then urged the veteran delegates to promote strong multilateral cooperation as well as to support a free and open region that respects the rule of law in pursuit of resolving disputes peacefully. 

"Thus, we also seek the understanding and support of our ASEAN brethren, particularly those who have sacrificed their lives, their blood and their individual futures for a greater good," he said, as he led the conferment of the awards to the ASEAN veteran leaders. 

Teodoro likewise mentioned that the region needs to continue defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty and work collectively with respect to each country's individual cultures. 

"We have to work together to make this region the most prosperous, and most peaceful in the world. And we can only do that through the collective action of our peoples – respecting ASEAN centrality, respecting individual cultures, respecting each one's individual destinies for a collective good," he said.