The Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines, under Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., has joined an international initiative aimed at bolstering the security of critical underwater infrastructure. This new framework, known as the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defense Exchanges (Guide), was launched during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore. The initiative has garnered support from 17 countries across Europe, West Asia, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of cooperation among defense establishments in safeguarding vital underwater assets. The DND highlighted that the Guide will facilitate the sharing of principles and practical exchanges to enhance the resilience and security of underwater infrastructure. This move comes at a time when global attention is increasingly focused on protecting undersea infrastructure, including submarine communications cables that are crucial for telecommunications and energy networks. The Shangri-La Dialogue serves as a platform for defense ministers and security experts to discuss pressing security challenges and foster defense cooperation.