Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led the official opening of the 2025 Philippine Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) on Tuesday, calling for stronger alliances rooted in trust and collective resolve to counter growing regional and global threats.

Speaking before senior military leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, Teodoro underscored the importance of unified action among like-minded nations to preserve a free and rules-based international order.

“It is incumbent upon your defense leaders and your heads of state to build as much possible mass in like-minded partnerships, building trust and confidence, and with collective action, collective purpose, and collective resolve, we then deter any unilateral attempt to reshape the world order into a less free one and a less participative one where rights of people are sacrificed,” Teodoro said in his keynote address.

The three-day symposium, which runs from July 8 to 10, gathers senior Marine Corps officers, naval infantry, and defense officials from allied and partner nations across the Indo-Pacific region.

Now in its 11th year, PALS continues to serve as a vital platform for strengthening personal and professional relationships within the region’s amphibious and maritime communities through face-to-face engagements and strategic dialogue.

During the event, Teodoro reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to sovereignty and international law, emphasizing the importance of upholding the United Nations Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“That is the essence of what Philippine defense diplomacy is, keeping true to the United Nations (UN) Charter, keeping true to UNCLOS and resisting any attempt by coercion, co-option, or any form of pressure to force the Philippines or any country to renounce their rights freely and fairly,” the Defense chief said.

Key events in this year’s symposium include high-level engagements, panel discussions, and briefings on critical areas such as emerging technologies in littoral operations, logistics in disaster response, and modern maritime information warfare.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Vicente Map Blanco III, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Commander Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn also attended the opening ceremony.

PALS 2025 is co-hosted by the Philippine Marine Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, underscoring the continued commitment of both nations to regional security through defense diplomacy, enhanced cooperation, and maritime partnership.