MANILA, Philippines — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has called for a significant expansion of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), describing its current force structure as inadequate to secure the country’s 7,600 islands amid escalating external security challenges.
Speaking during the Marines’ 76th-anniversary celebration at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on Saturday, November 7, Teodoro emphasized that the military must fast-track the PMC’s development under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
He stressed the need for standalone or co-located strategic operating bases and stronger logistical networks.
“The footprint of the Philippine Marine Corps of four marine brigades and one service support brigade for 7,600 islands is way, way too small,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief noted that shifting the military’s primary focus from internal security to external territorial defense requires immediate action.
He pointed to recent geopolitical pressures, citing a November 5 opinion piece published by Chinese state-owned Global Times questioning Philippine sovereignty over Batanes.
“How do we react to this? It is by showing strong deterrence, strong determination, national resolve, and the all-important engagement with our people, our stakeholders, who will, in the ultimate analysis, have to foot the bill for something that was delayed for so long,” Teodoro added.
As part of efforts to fortify defenses in the West Philippine Sea—particularly the Kalayaan Island Group—Teodoro underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Under this framework, the Philippine Army will provide feeder logistical support, the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Space Agency will handle air and space operations, the Navy and Marines will spearhead deterrence, and the PCG will manage maritime law enforcement.
Furthermore, Teodoro warned that tightening global supply chains necessitate a transition from paper reserves to tangible physical stockpiles.
“The notional reserves that we have are not sufficient. Physical custody and possession of reserves is the name of the game now, as we see throughout the world when supply chains are tightening and the scramble for resources becomes dearer and more expensive,” he warned.