CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — The Direct Communications Infrastructure was launched this afternoon at the close of the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.
“An initiative of Brunei Darrusalam, it allows Defense Ministers across the Southeast Asian region to communicate rapidly and orderly with each order through a secured hotline,” ASEAN said in a statement.
The objectives are to prevent and difuse misunderstandings and misinterpretations and therefore prevent unnecessary esclations.
It also seeks to promote quick response cooperation among the ASEAN member-states.
After the launching, the Philippines handed over the chairmanship of the ADMM to Singapore.
“Singapore will build upon the good work of the Philippines and previous chairs,” Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said.
Established in 2006, ADMM is the highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism in the ASEAN.
It aims to promote mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defense and security challenges, as well as enhancement of transparency and openness among the 10 ASEAN member-states namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
Meanwhile, ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN Defense Ministers to engage their counterparts from the Plus countries namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and United States. (CLJD-PIA 3) Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu