Territorial defense top priority of Duterte government – Lorenzana

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana yesterday said defense amid ongoing territorial disputes is a main priority of the Duterte administration.

“We are facing a different challenge now – the threat of terrorism, climate change and environmental destruction, poverty, corruption, transnational and cybercrime and territorial disputes,” he said in a speech in Malolos, Bulacan on the occasion of National Flag Day.

Lorenzana, without particularly citing the country’s territorial issues with China, said such challenges need everyone’s action.

“To fulfill our mandate and sworn duty, the Department of National Defense continues to defend our nation and every Filipino from external and internal threats to the peace and security of the Philippines,” he said in Filipino.

“The defense of our territory remains a priority and we work hard to safeguard our integrity and sovereignty,” he said. 

Lorenzana added that the DND remains alert against groups wanting to destroy the country’s democracy and peace.

“We will not allow anger and hate to reign, instead we will make sure that peace and security will prevail,” he said.

On National Flag Day, he called on Filipinos “to reflect on the things that we have learned as a free nation and fill our hearts with love for country and live with the symbols of the flag that represent freedom, equality and brotherhood.”

He said Filipinos should also live according to what the dominant colors of the Philippine flag represent—red for valor and love of country and blue for peace, truth and justice.