Teodoro flags limited Army reach, gaps in PH defense infra

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army effectively covers only 40 to 50 percent of the country,  and its limited reach is insufficient even for logistical operations, according to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Teodoro said the military needs additional strategic bases to address gaps in the country’s defense capabilities.

“We also need to build our strategic naval, army, and air force bases because the army coverage, army, which is the most substantial in terms of personnel and locations, covers effectively about only 40 percent to 50 percent of the archipelago, which is not enough, even for logistics purposes,” he said in an interview on ANC on Tuesday.

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Teodoro did not explain how the percentage was calculated or identify which areas remained outside the Army’s effective coverage.

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He also cited inadequate naval facilities, saying the country lacked a dockyard and needs additional bases along its eastern seaboard.

“The naval bases, they’re confined to the West Philippine Sea and not substantial enough. We don’t have a dockyard. We need to construct bases in the eastern seaboard,” he said.

Teodoro warned that existing roads and bridges might not be strong enough to accommodate the transport of military equipment.

“For capital outlay, for infrastructure, that’s where a big deficit lies,” he said.

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Teodoro made the remarks when asked about the government’s defense spending priorities during the remaining term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

He said most of the funding would go toward military operations, including exercises, internal security operations in Mindanao, activities in the West Philippine Sea, and disaster response.

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Teodoro had previously raised concerns about the military’s limited presence in strategic areas.

During Senate budget deliberations on Oct. 19, Teodoro said only one Army brigade covered Mindoro while a single infantry division was assigned to secure Northern Luzon.

He also cited the lack of substantial Army infrastructure in Palawan to support strategic bases.

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The Armed Forces of the Philippines has been expanding its operational footprint under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, which seeks to strengthen the country’s ability to defend its territory and maritime interests. /gsg