Philippines charts new course in Asean by courting East Timor as South China Sea ally

Next year’s Asean chair has shown interest in formalising defence cooperation with the latest member of the 11-nation bloc

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East Timor Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao shakes hands with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the Asean summit on October 28. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:29am, 10 Nov 2025Updated: 4:37pm, 10 Nov 2025

As it prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship, the Philippines’ courting of the bloc’s newest member, East Timor, signals its intent to secure a new ally in promoting maritime security among the 11-strong grouping of nations.

But analysts suggest the budding partnership is more symbolic than strategic, with the Philippines playing more of a mentor role to the newcomer.

On the sidelines of a meeting of defence chiefs following the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 31, Philippine defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr reportedly discussed formalising defence cooperation with his Timorese counterpart, Rear Admiral Donaciano do Rosario da Costa Gomes.

The Philippines’ Department of National Defence said that both officials “noted the many historical, geographical and cultural similarities between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, emphasising how these shared experiences can serve as a foundation for stronger bilateral relations”.

Philippine’s Gilberto Teodoro (left) and East Timor’s Donaciano da Costa Gomes (right) pose for a group photo at the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting on October 31. Photo: AFP

Both countries share a predominantly Catholic heritage and were colonised by Iberian powers Spain and Portugal. They have also transitioned from authoritarian rule to democracy, with the Philippines overthrowing former president Ferdinand Marcos Snr’s dictatorship in 1986 and East Timor, which is also known as Timor-Leste, achieving independence in 2002 after 24 years of occupation by Indonesia.

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