PH Army coverage limited to 40-50% of territory, Teodoro warns

MANILA — The Philippine Army's effective coverage extends to only 40 to 50 percent of the country's territory, presenting significant challenges to national security and military logistics, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday.

Teorado attributed the limited reach to existing defense infrastructure gaps and underscored the need for expanded military presence across the island nation. He emphasized that current capabilities are inadequate even for basic logistical operations, let alone comprehensive territorial defense.

To address these shortcomings, the Defense chief called for the establishment of additional strategic military bases positioned to enhance coverage and operational effectiveness. Such installations, he suggested, would enable the Armed Forces to better respond to security threats and maintain presence in underserved regions.

The remarks underscore ongoing concerns within the military establishment about the Philippines' ability to defend its vast maritime territory and archipelagic expanse. Defense officials have previously highlighted resource constraints and infrastructure limitations as key obstacles to strengthening national security posture.

The Department of Defense is expected to incorporate these considerations into future strategic planning and budget proposals aimed at modernizing the country's defense capabilities.