Poised to take up the Asean chair position, the Philippines’ courting of the regional bloc’s latest member, East Timor, signals its intent to secure a new ally in promoting maritime security among the 11 strong grouping of nations.

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

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

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 are predominantly Catholic and were colonised by Iberian powers Spain and Portugal. They had also transitioned to democracies from authoritarian rule, with the Philippines overthrowing former president Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship in 1986 and East Timor gaining independence in 2002 following Indonesia’s occupation.