Manila, June 30 -- The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday said the Philippines has convened the ad hoc Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) Working Group (WG) on June 29 to advance preparations for the bloc's high-level defense engagements this year.

DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the meeting was done via video conference and presided by Defense Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita Yoro, in her capacity as ADSOM WG chair.

"Building on the deliberations from previous meetings, discussions focused on the review of key outcome deliverables, including the joint declaration and statement for adoption during the 20th ASEAN Defence Min...