PH Participates in the 2026 Honolulu Defense Forum

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. (second from left), shares the Philippine perspective on regional stability during a panel discussion at the 2026 Honolulu Defense Forum, alongside US INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo (right) and Japanese Chief of Staff Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura (second from right), moderated by DKI APCSS Director Suzy Vares-Lum (left). Photo courtesy of the Pacific Forum.

Ranking officials from the Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) headlined the 2026 Honolulu Defense Forum (HDF), held from 12–13 January 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  

The Philippine delegation played a central role in shaping the dialogue across several high-level sessions on the challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region and the importance of evolving traditional alliances into modern, technology-integrated partnerships.

The Philippines’ participation in the HDF reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the rule of law and rule-based international order, including our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region guided by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award. 

Another event was also organized by the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu in partnership with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), featuring a special speaking engagement by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. on 12 January 2026, where he highlighted the Philippines’ role as a reliable and constructive ally in the Indo-Pacific region.

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. (right) responds to queries during a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region during the 2026 Honolulu Defense Forum. Photo courtesy of the Pacific Forum.

PH Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan joins a panel of Coast Guard officials invited to discuss strategies for rapidly enhancing maritime domain awareness at the 2026 Honolulu Defense Forum. Photo courtesy of the Pacific Forum.

PH Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan joins a panel of Coast Guard officials invited to discuss strategies for rapidly enhancing maritime domain awareness at the 2026 Honolulu Defense Forum. Photo courtesy of the Pacific Forum.

CSAFP General Romeo Brawner Jr addresses the attendees at the special speaking engagement that was co-organized by the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) on 12 January 2026.

CSAFP General Romeo Brawner Jr with the members of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu, led by Consul General Arman Talbo during the special speaking engagement that was co-organized by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) and the  PH Consulate on 12 January 2026.

*Photos courtesy of the Pacific Forum and the DKI APCSS.