Gibo urges faster Marine Corps buildup

Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has called for the sustained and accelerated development of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), stressing the need to expand its capabilities, strengthen its strategic presence across the archipelago, and enhance its role in the country's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept.

Speaking as guest of honor and speaker during the PMC's 76th anniversary celebration on Saturday at Fort Bonifacio, Teodoro conveyed the best wishes of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who expressed confidence in the Corps' continued growth and its commitment to maintaining its fighting capabilities, core values, morale and presence throughout the archipelago.

“As Major General Apostol (Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Major General Bob R. Apostol) had said, the footprint of the Philippine Marine Corps of four marine brigades and one service support brigade for 7,600 islands is way, way too small,” Teodoro said.

The Defense chief emphasized the importance of maintaining a credible presence and deterrence in the Kalayaan Island Group, requiring closer coordination among the Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard.

He also called for a sustainable yet urgent growth plan that would include the development of strategic operating bases for the Marines, whether co-located with other military facilities or established independently.

Teodoro stressed the need to strengthen logistical readiness and maintain adequate physical reserves amid tightening global supply chains and increasing competition for resources.

“[Being] prepared means also putting enough facilities to store all the needed reserves. The notional reserves that we have are not sufficient. Physical custody and possession of reserves is the name of the game now, as we see throughout the world when supply chains are tightening and the scramble for resources becomes dearer and more expensive,” he said.

He acknowledged that addressing these capability gaps would require substantial effort, adding that the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, under Marcos' leadership, were working to accelerate the country's defense modernization and readiness initiatives.

Teodoro also cited the Philippines' participation in major multilateral exercises and stressed the need for the Marine Corps to strengthen its professional networks with other marine forces to identify appropriate tactics, technologies and equipment suited to the country's operational environment.

Beyond capability development, he underscored the importance of investing in future military leadership through early exposure to leadership responsibilities, mentorship, cross-training, and international engagement.

He called for greater opportunities for young officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resource personnel to develop the technical competencies, adaptability, and foresight needed to address emerging defense and security challenges.