NATION
Teodoro urges national unity
‘I think your convergence efforts should match the rapidity with which we build our national convergence and resilience.’
Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. on Saturday called for greater national unity to strengthen the Philippines’ resilience and protect its maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking at the Ilocano Dialogue on the West Philippine Sea at the Ilocandia Cultural Center in Ilocos Norte, Teodoro urged students, youth leaders, government officials, and security stakeholders to work together in defending the country’s maritime rights and upholding international law.
“I think your convergence efforts should match the rapidity with which we build our national convergence and resilience,” Teodoro said.
The defense chief emphasized the importance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), saying it is vital to protecting the Philippines’ territorial integrity and maritime entitlements as an archipelagic nation.
“UNCLOS is existential for the territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines because of our archipelagic entitlements,” he said.
Teodoro said national resilience goes beyond strengthening military capabilities. He stressed the need to build public awareness, national resolve, and credible deterrence to address evolving security challenges.
“After awareness, you have to build resolve... Lastly, we have to build deterrence,” he said, adding that without these, the country could become vulnerable to coercion and intimidation.
He also urged the youth to help promote informed discussions on national security and become active partners in nation-building.
“We will rely on you to be the future of our organization, the future of the national economy, and the future public leaders,” he said.
Teodoro also warned against the spread of disinformation, describing it as a growing threat that highlights the need for an informed, resilient and united society capable of safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and rules-based maritime entitlements.
The forum concluded with an open discussion on the West Philippine Sea, national resilience, deterrence and disinformation.