Department: Department of National Defense

Message of the Secretary of National Defense for National Heroes’ Day 2024

The Department of National Defense is one with the nation in celebrating National  Heroes’ Day. As we commemorate the selfless actions of and pay tribute to the valiant  men and women, who have shaped our nation’s history through their courage and  sacrifice: from the heroes of our past, who fought for our independence to the modern day heroes who continue to protect and serve our country, we honor their unwavering  Read More

Joint Press Release on the Outcome of the 2nd Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2)

1. Overview Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Minister for Foreign Affairs KAMIKAWA Yoko, and Minister of Defense KIHARA Minoru (hereinafter referred to as “Ministers”) met in Manila, Philippines on July 8, 2024 for the 2nd Philippines-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”). They affirmed that the meeting is a timely follow-up to the inaugural 2+2 held in Tokyo on April Read More

DND welcomes Canadian envoy on women, peace, and security

July 10, 2024 (Quezon City) – The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed Canadian Ambassador for Women, Peace, and Security H.E. Jacqueline O’Neill and her team on July 5, 2024, for a roundtable discussion on the efforts of the Philippines and Canada to promote women, peace, and security (WPS).

Philippines, Netherlands seek to forge stronger defense ties

June 3, 2024 (Singapore) – Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren vowed to further step up their bilateral defense and security relations, notably in the areas of combatting cybercrimes and espionage. Meeting on Sunday on the sidelines of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue, the two defense officials pledged to deepen cooperation as numerous issues and concerns emerge globally. Minister Read More

Teodoro, Austin huddle in Shangri-La Dialogue

June 2, 2024 (Singapore) — Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and United States Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III met on the sidelines of the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue yesterday, June 1, to update each other on the progress made by both countries since the recent SQUAD meeting in Hawaii. Secretary Austin opened the discussion by congratulating President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Read More

Secretary Teodoro meets with South Korea Defense Minister, EU High Representative

June 2, 2024 (Singapore) — Philippine National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. on Saturday met separately with Shin Won-Sik, Minister of National Defense of South Korea, and Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission for a Stronger Europe in the World, and discussed regional security challenges and to deepen defense cooperation.

Statement of the DND

I would like to clearly state that any insinuation that the Department of National Defense is a party to any “new model” is a devious machination of China through their Embassy in Manila, and it is curious that it comes right after their actions were condemned in the recent SQUAD meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Quadrilateral Defense Leaders Meeting in Hawaii Highlights Indo-Pacific Cooperation

May 2, 2024 (Hawaii) – Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III convened in Hawaii for a Quadrilateral Defense Ministers’ meeting at the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii. This meeting, the second-ever of its kind, underscores the deep collaboration among these four nations Read More

Message for Eid al-Fitr 2024

The Department of National Defense is one with our Muslim brothers and sisters as they break the fast of Ramadan and celebrate Eid al-Fitr. May the Almighty Allah accept the deeds of worship offered to Him on this day of joy.

Statement on the conduct of the multilateral MCA

The Philippines is committed to preserving a secure, stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. As an archipelagic country, it both upholds and champions a rules-based global order, especially in the maritime domain, where the primacy of UNCLOS is well-established and enshrined in the 2016 Arbitral award. In so doing, the Philippines is changing its defense paradigms, strengthening its own capabilities, and leveraging alliances with allies and like-minded nations. This will enable Read More

PH, UK explore collaboration in defense, investment

February 19, 2024 (Quezon City) — Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. welcomed the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the Philippines, Richard Graham CMG MP, during a courtesy call at the Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday. The discussion focused on shared security challenges, including the South China Sea, and potential avenues for collaboration in defense and investment. Both sides expressed interest in exploring joint Read More

DND, French Senate delegation highlight greenfield opportunities for broader cooperation

February 21, 2024 (Quezon City) – Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. met visiting French Senators from the France-Southeast Asia Interparliamentary Friendship Group, led by Mr. Olivier Henno, at the Department of National Defense (DND). Discussing developments in the Indo-Pacific region along with the similarities and interconnectedness of the region’s situation in Europe, the Philippine and French officials underscored the importance of respect for the rule of international law, including the Read More