Manila, Oct. 29 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday cited the United States' "sustained engagement" with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which he credits for peace and stability in the region.

"We value the United States' sustained engagement with the defense establishments of ASEAN as a robust US presence is necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific Region," he said during the ASEAN-United States Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

US Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting.

"We are delighted to host this importan...