By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has emphasized the strategic importance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Strategic Command in deterring threats to the country’s territorial integrity, particularly across its maritime domain.
Speaking at the command’s first anniversary celebration at Clark Air Base on Wednesday, Teodoro called for sustained security gains, a wider military presence throughout the archipelago and a credible, long-term deterrent capability under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).
The defense chief joined Lt. Gen. Thad Rufino P. Candelario, Strategic Command commander, in honoring outstanding personnel, military units and partner organizations for their contributions to the command’s development and capability-building programs.
Activated in 2025, the Strategic Command brings together intelligence, military operations and civil-military functions under an integrated structure. It also oversees joint exercises and activities with partner nations and organizations.
The arrangement is intended to improve coordination among participating forces, strengthen interoperability and speed up decision-making across security domains as the AFP prepares to address emerging and evolving threats.
The command’s anniversary carried the theme, “Strengthening the AFP’s Strategic Shield Across All Domains,” drawing senior defense and military officials to the celebration.
The AFP Strategic Command’s expanding role forms part of the military’s broader effort to establish a more coordinated defense posture suited to the Philippines’ geography as an archipelago.
ia/xf
