Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has commended the Army’s 4th Infantry Division for its role in sustaining internal peace and security in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga Region, as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces of the Philippines and improving troop welfare.
Teodoro, together with officials of the Department of National Defense, visited the 4ID headquarters at Camp Evangelista, where he received a security briefing on the division’s operational environment, recent campaign gains, and continuing efforts to address remaining internal security threats.
The briefing also covered the military’s preparations for the AFP’s long-term shift toward territorial and external defense, even as it continues to maintain internal stability in conflict-affected areas.
Addressing the troops, Teodoro said the DND remains committed to building a stronger and more capable armed forces, from enlisted personnel and officers to civilian human resource personnel who support military operations.
“Kulang ang ating personnel, kaya pinaglalaban ko po lumaki ang ating Armed Forces of the Philippines, magmula sa ating enlisted base, officer corps, and importanteng-importante ang ating Civilian Human Resource,” Teodoro said.
He said internal peace and security remain crucial as the country strengthens its external defense posture, stressing the need for focused intelligence operations, force protection, and sustained support for soldiers conducting difficult missions on the ground.
Teodoro said his role as defense chief includes speaking for uniformed personnel who, because of discipline and duty, cannot openly raise certain concerns.
“So ang trabaho ko ay masabi para sa inyo ang hindi ninyo masabi dahil naka-uniporme kayo, may disiplina. Trabaho ko po iyon,” he said.
He also reiterated his opposition to reviving peace talks with the communist armed movement, warning against efforts that he said could legitimize armed struggle while threats to communities and security forces continue.
“Ngayon gustong palabasin ng CPP-NPA-NDF na ubod ng gulo, sobrang gulo dito para mapansin sila, papasok sila sa peace talk, magde-demand sila ng kung anu-anong kondisyon. Gusto nila ma-legitimize ang struggle nila at bigyan ng moralidad ang walang puso at walang pakundangan na ginagawa nila,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief urged military personnel to preserve public trust and continue supporting national security efforts as the AFP works to maintain internal stability while building credible external deterrence.
“Hinihikayat ko po tayong lahat bilang sangay ng gobyerno na napakataas ang trust rating, napakataas ng kredibilidad sa taong-bayan, na ako po sa ganang akin, tinutulungan ko po mapalawak, mapalakas, mapalago ang Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
“Magtatatag tayo ng credible external deterrence while maintaining stable internal peace and security, which will be our mission area for a very long time,” Teodoro added.