Teodoro Jr. appointed as new DND secretary

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Gilberto Teodoro Jr. as the new Secretary of National Defense, replacing OIC Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Teodoro, who previously served as defense chief under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and is the third defense chief under the Marcos administration, was chosen by Marcos Jr. following a meeting with Galvez Jr.

Teodoro's return to the DND comes after the lapse of the one-year ban on appointment for losing candidates in the 2022 polls, making him eligible to hold a Cabinet position.

The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed Teodoro's appointment, with AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar citing his "decisive leadership, professional competence, and wealth of experience."

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año stated that Teodoro's prior experience as DND chief provides an advantage in combating insurgency and protecting maritime entitlements.

A key task for Teodoro will be to oversee the shift in military focus from internal security to external defense, including the development of new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.

He is also expected to continue fortifying external defense, foster bilateral and multilateral engagements for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and advance the AFP's modernization program.