Defense Sec. urges Army SOCOM to boost vigilance against new threats

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has urged the Philippine Army's Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to heighten their vigilance against emerging security threats.

Teodoro emphasized that the government is dedicated to modernizing the Armed Forces and bolstering elite units like SOCOM, recognizing its crucial role in national defense.

He assured that despite shifts in mission roles, SOCOM's commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster response, especially in remote areas, remains a priority.

The Defense Secretary condemned the use of illegal anti-personnel mines by communist terrorist groups, referencing a recent incident where soldiers were injured.

Teodoro called for SOCOM to develop into a flexible, rapid-response force capable of addressing threats across various domains, including those involving advanced technologies like AI and cyber warfare.