PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is advocating for an expanded and sustainable military presence in Palawan as part of national efforts to fortify territorial defense and thwart illegal operations along the country’s eastern and western seaboards.
Addressing troops during a visit on Tuesday, October 6, at the Western Command (WESCOM) headquarters in Camp General Artemio Ricarte, Teodoro emphasized that augmenting forces in the island province would help counter political influence campaigns, particularly the United Front Work (UFW) linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which aims to cultivate local alliances and dictate strategic narratives.
“The presence of our forces, especially our land forces here in Palawan, will serve as a deterrent against UFW and other nefarious activities. Those conducting illegal activities here are not only trying to disrupt our activities but also to extract our national wealth and take it away for themselves. We cannot allow that,” he said.
Given Palawan’s vital strategic position, Teodoro outlined plans to establish what he characterized as a “significant and meaningful tri-service presence” comprising the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force.
This integrated deployment is designed to address multiple defense requirements, including internal security, territorial defense, disaster response and relief operations, and long-term logistics management.
The Defense Chief confirmed ongoing discussions to increase the Army’s footprint, backing the announcement by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran that groundwork is underway to form at least a brigade-sized unit in the region.
Teodoro also pressed for a expanded Philippine Marine Corps footprint in Palawan, pointing out that current staffing across its four existing brigades remains insufficient to cover the nation’s vast territorial responsibilities.
“However, we cannot simply expand them without a plan. It has to be sustained,” he said.
He highlighted that the Marine Corps is enhancing international military partnerships, such as those with South Korea, alongside ongoing force modernization and capability upgrades.
“At the end of the day, a Marine Corps is not a Marine Corps if it has no mobility. And that is what we must work hard to allow them to sustain their lethality, their firepower, and their mobility, particularly now in the eastern seaboard where there is no significant presence,” he noted.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, who accompanied Teodoro alongside WESCOM commander Vice Adm. Alan Javier, similarly stressed the necessity of maintaining operational readiness and upgraded defense capabilities along the western perimeter to defend state sovereignty.
Concluding his address, Teodoro expressed gratitude to the service members, noting that public backing for the military remains strong despite external criticism.
“The Filipino people are thankful to you. I believe you can feel that despite some criticism, a vast majority of our countrymen are ready, willing, and able to help attain our sacred mission of securing for our posterity the rights that rightly belong to them under international law,” he said.
He reassured that the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces would continue working with partner institutions to foster long-term national growth alongside security.
“We will answer that call to make the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of National Defense, and partner agencies a catalyst for sustainable development and sustainable gains for Filipinos, not only now but for future generations of Filipinos,” Teodoro said.
“Palawan is the last frontier. Let’s make sure that it is the last frontier,” he added.