Manila, Sept. 9 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called for responsible competition and inclusive security during the first plenary session of the 2025 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) on Tuesday.

Speaking before the attendees, Teodoro urged nations to work together to mitigate geopolitical rivalries and restore strategic stability in an "increasingly volatile global security environment."

The DND chief emphasized that while competition among states is inevitable, it must remain responsible, grounded in trust and guided by international law, according to DND news release.

"History tells us that geopolitical rivalries are not new -- they are constant. Great powers have always competed against one anothe...