Department of National Defense

Also known as DND

The Department of National Defense (DND) under Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is actively modernizing the Philippines' defense capabilities, including receiving BrahMos missiles and enhancing military cooperation with countries like Japan and the United States. The DND has also dismissed China's warnings against joint military exercises and US trade deals, emphasizing the Philippines' right to make independent decisions regarding its security.

This is an AI-generated summary based on recent coverage.
Last updated at April 24, 2025.

Recent stories about DND

Marcos signs AO establishing Task Force Kanlaon for Mount Kanlaon response

President Marcos signed Administrative Order No. 32 on April 24 to establish the National Task Force Kanlaon for coordinating government response efforts related to Mount Kanlaon鈥檚 volcanic activity.
Read full story

Philippines receives second batch of BrahMos missiles

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. confirmed on Wednesday that another batch of Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile systems is en route to the Philippines.
Read full story

PIAHC returns from Myanmar quake mission

The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) returned home Sunday night after a two-week mission in earthquake-hit Myanmar following a devastating 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28.
Read full story

Japan, Philippines reaffirm military cooperation

Japan's Self-Defense Forces vice chief of staff Lieutenant General Matsunaga Koji reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to enhanced military cooperation with the Philippines during a meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Read full story

DND thanks PH humanitarian team aiding Myanmar quake victims

Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. thanked members of the Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent for their work aiding communities affected by an earthquake in Myanmar.
Read full story

AFP completes routine resupply at BRP Sierra Madre, 7th consecutive success

On Wednesday, April 9, as the nation observed the 83rd anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) successfully completed another routine troop rotation and resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
Read full story

Teodoro urges Filipinos to contribute to nation-building during Araw ng Kagitingan

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged Filipinos to contribute to nation-building on Wednesday, April 9, during the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration.
Read full story

Philippine Navy commissions BRP Miguel Malvar

The Philippine Navy welcomed its newest acquisition, the South Korean-built corvette BRP Miguel Malvar, at Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales on Tuesday, April 8.
Read full story

Philippines, Finland explore defense ties

The Philippines and Finland have shown interest in expanding their defense ties during a meeting between Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Finnish Ambassador Saija Nurminen on April 2.
Read full story

AFP reorganizes VPSPG into AFPSPG for streamlined security

A military official clarified on Saturday, April 5, that the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) was reorganized into the AFP Security and Protection Group (AFPSPG), not disbanded, as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) rationalization efforts.
Read full story