Manila, June 2 -- The Philippines is looking at strengthening defense cooperation with Japan, Ukraine and the Netherlands.

Over the weekend, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. held bilateral meetings with defense officials of the three nations on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

"Secretary Teodoro and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani's meeting took place following their last engagement in Manila in February 2025, which preceded the visit to the Philippines of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last April. Secretary Teodoro expressed gratitude for Japan's continued trust and goodwill," DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement Monday.

During...