Manila, Feb. 28 -- The defense chiefs of the Philippines and Thailand tackled disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and explored new avenues for collaboration, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Friday.

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Defense Ministers' Meeting Retreat in Penang, Malaysia on Feb. 26, agency spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

This discussion was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive of fostering relationships with international partners, he added.

"Secretary Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines and Thailand have maintai...