Department of National Defense - Philippines

On July 12, 2026, Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. led the flag-raising ceremony on Pag-asa Island to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, calling for greater whole-of-government convergence to strengthen the country’s westernmost municipality.

The #DNDPHL, led by Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., joined the National Peace Walk to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Award, held at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

READ | 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁👇

The #DNDPHL led by Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., joined the Philippine Navy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Local Government of Zambales in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award in Masinloc.

Preparations for the Philippines' hosting of the high-level #ASEAN2026 defense engagements remain on track following the latest Ad Hoc ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting Working Group (WG) meeting, convened by the #DNDPHL on July 16, 2026.

#DIKAPASISIIL☀️ | 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐨𝐝-𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 Sa paggunita sa ika-10 anibersaryo ng 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, alamin kung paano isinasabuhay ng mga lingkod-bayan ang pagmamahal sa bansa. Sa manlulupig, 'di ka pasisiil. #ArbitralAward10 #DNDPHL

READ | 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁👇

DND Sec. Teodoro, Jr., together with local government officials and the Bicol Universiry community, paid tribute to Hon. Carlos "Papay" R. Imperial during the unveiling of the memorial bust of one of the university's founding fathers, on July 13, 2026, in Legazpi City, Albay.

🇵🇭🤝🇪🇺 | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. met with H.E. Massimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines, to discuss opportunities for bilateral defense relations on Thursday at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. #DNDPHL 🇵🇭

✅🌊Ang 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award ay nagbigay-linaw sa mga karapatan ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng UNCLOS at pinagtibay na walang legal na batayan ang inaangking "historical rights" ng China. Mahalagang ang ating paninindigan ay nakabatay sa katotohanan at sa batas. #DNDPHL

Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. joined Cebu City's West Philippine Sea (WPS) Victory Day flag raising ceremony on July 13, 2026. #ArbitralAward10 #DiKaPasisiil #DNDPHL

#DNDPHL Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. received Lieutenant Colonel Jason King, Canada's Defense Attaché to the Philippines, for his exit call on July 14, 2026, at the Department of National Defense.🇨🇦🇵🇭 #BagongPilipinas #DiKaPasisiil

Defense Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. advocated for specialization and research in universities, as he paid tribute to the late Hon. Carlos “Papay” R. Imperial during the unveiling of the memorial bust dedicated to one of Bicol University’s founding fathers in Legazpi City today.

READ | Statement on International Support for the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea 👇

CEBU CITY FOR WPS 🇵🇭🌊 | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. joined Cebu City local government officials and personnel for the celebration of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Victory Day at Cebu City Hall Sugbo Grounds on Monday, July 13, 2026.

𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗦 PANOORIN: Sabay-sabay na pinatunog ang mga busina ng mga barko sa Port of Manila bilang paggunita sa ika-10 anibersaryo ng makasaysayang 2016 Arbitral Award sa West Philippine Sea ngayong Linggo, July 12.

A LOVE STORY ON PAG-ASA ISLAND ❤️ Public school teacher Lucky Gaea Marie Bolante, who arrived on Pag-asa Island with no plans of finding love, met Philippine Air Force Airman 2nd Class Clyde Kent Enriquez during his deployment last year. The two are now set to tie the knot this December—with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. offering to be one of their wedding sponsors. During his visit marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, Teodoro said Pag-asa is no longer viewed solely through a security lens but as a growing community. The defense chief emphasized the need to strengthen habitation by improving access, transportation, water, sanitation, health services, and other basic facilities so more Filipinos can continue to live and thrive on the island. | via @biancadava

𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔 🇵🇭 | From the country’s westernmost frontier, Defense Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. led today’s flag-raising ceremony on Pag-asa Island in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of landmark 2016 Arbitral Award.

Filipinos should embrace the West Philippine Sea, Defense Sec. Gilberto C. Teodoro. Jr. urged, as the country held a National Peace Walk to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Award today, July 12, 2026, at Quirino Grandstand in Manila. 🇵🇭🌊 #DNDPHL

🇪🇺🇵🇭 An inspiring keynote message by Secretary of National Defense G. Teodoro @dndphl. The growing EU-Philippines partnership reflects our shared commitment to international law, peace, and regional stability. #EUinPH