Rappler's latest stories on Department of National Defense
DND investigating fake Facebook accounts – Lorenzana
'Of course, the cooperation of Facebook is needed,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Lorenzana welcomes suspension of VFA repeal
(UPDATED) 'In times of crises and global uncertainty, it is our belief that nations are only made stronger if we work together and focus our efforts on tackling the various challenges that confront us all,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
[ANALYSIS] Philippine defense spending 2019: What’s in the data?
'The Philippines has enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years, but a sharp slowdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could upend planned defense spending'
Lorenzana defends buying attack helicopters: It's to fight NPA
'We would rather give [the money] to our people, kaya lang itigil niyo ang inyong armed struggle, ititigil din namin ang ganitong pagbili ng armas,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Lorenzana condemns alleged NPA attempt on military in Rizal
The military says it thwarted a planned attack by the New People’s Army last Saturday, but rebel leaders say the guerrillas were just on a medical mission
Lorenzana seeks full military, police support in enforcing gov’t plan vs coronavirus
The defense chief will be on top of implementing the government's policies in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic
Military has no say on lockdown rules, will only help police enforce them – Lorenzana
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has no police powers, says the defense chief
Lorenzana favors postponing PMA alumni homecoming to avert novel coronavirus
'We deem it prudent to avoid situations where the health and safety of our cadets, PMA alumni, and their families are put at risk,' says the defense chief
Lorenzana says it’s within PH right to scrap defense pact with U.S.
The defense chief he will discuss with President Duterte ‘various scenarios’ and 'future actions' that the military may undertake if and when the visiting forces agreement is terminated
1st batch of Filipinos from Iraq to be flown to Qatar Monday night
The Department of National Defense says at least 12 Filipinos may return to the Philippines on January 14, though this will depend on the availability of flights
PH will no longer send military 'battalions' to accompany Iraq evacuees
Officials in charge of the repatriation effort realize 'it may not be wise to send uniformed servicemen to the Middle East due to the sensitivities of the countries there'
1st batch of Filipinos from Iraq to be flown to Manila on Sunday
Filipinos in and near Tripoli, Libya, must be mandatorily evacuated, too, says the defense department, as tensions escalate in the North African country
No more bodyguards from military: DND issues implementing rules of Duterte order
Members of the Armed Forces can no longer be assigned to the security detail of civilian officials, except the President, the Vice President, and their immediate families
Duterte to AFP: Be ready to evacuate Filipinos if Middle East tensions rise
There are 1,600 and 6,000 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq, respectively
Lorenzana recommends lifting martial law in Mindanao
‘It’s time to go back to normal,’ the defense chief says, adding that security forces can handle lingering threats without martial law
Defense, energy departments to probe Chinese control of power lines
Can China really remotely control – and shut down – the Philippines’ electricity? Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wants to find out.
DND to reconsider AFP deal with China-backed telco after Senate review
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says they will 'think thrice, even 4 times,' after senators raised serious security concerns over Dito Telecommunity's plan to build cell sites within military properties
Red-tagged Oxfam, NCCP slam military for 'malicious, careless' attack
The Farmers Development Center also says their inclusion in the red list was meant to 'silence our advocacy' for farmers rights
In House briefing, AFP, DND accuse Gabriela of being 'communist front'
'Hindi krimen ang maging aktibista. Gabriela Women's Party strongly condemns this clear attempt to criminalize dissent and weaponize the law,' says Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas
Lorenzana to China: Respect international maritime law
The defense chief also says the encounter between a Chinese vessel that claimed to be a warship and the Filipino crew of a commercial ship ‘should not be blown out of proportion or sensationalized’
Military chief Clement gets 4th star
General Noel Clement leads the AFP as it tackles security threats from terrorists, communist rebels, Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea, as well as hazing in the Philippine Military Academy – until he retires in January 2020
Air Force buys P2-billion Gulfstream business jet
The ‘well-appointed’ Gulfstream G280 will serve as an ‘airborne command post’ for senior leaders and commanders during emergencies
Chinese vessels in Philippine waters: Who’s keeping score?
As Chinese vessels of all sorts come and go through Philippine waters, exactly who among security officials is keeping count, and who's telling whom what to do?
Lorenzana wants Australia exempted from Duterte's foreign loan ban
The defense department plans to enter a loan agreement with the Australian government to procure 6 offshore patrol vessels to be built in Cebu
China using fishing vessels for surveillance, control of West PH Sea – DND
Chinese fishing vessels complement Chinese naval and coast guard ships, and could be used for 'asymmetric warfare of sea control and sea denial' against Filipinos, the defense department says in a report to a lawmaker
AFP chief downplays Dito Telecommunity's Chinese connection
'You are dealing with a Chinese company, not the Chinese government,' General Benjamin Madrigal Jr says of the Chinese government-owned China Telecom
Dito, DICT dismiss Chinese spying concerns about deal with AFP
Under the agreement, the China-backed telco will pay for its use of the military's facilities – but in kind
DND has a 'concern' about AFP deal with China-backed telco
The deal allowing Dito Telecommunity to put up facilities in military camps may have followed the regular procedure, but it must pass the defense chief's scrutiny, says DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong
Lorenzana unaware of AFP-Mislatel deal, vows probe – Panelo
The Philippine government can still pull out of the deal if officials identify security risks in the arrangement, says Malacañang
Defense department proposes 5th largest share of 2020 national budget
Pressure’s on to increase the defense establishment’s capability to confront internal and external threats, but retirees’ pensions still get the largest increase in allocation
At budget hearing, Lorenzana dares Makabayan bloc to condemn CPP-NPA
In a face-off with the defense chief, leftist lawmakers denounce 'red-tagging' by the government and challenge him to show evidence of their alleged involvement with the New People’s Army
DND insists China 'squatting' in West PH Sea
'Possession' or 'position?' The Defense department clears up post-SONA mess by reiterating the Philippines’ claim of sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea
DND to investigate China missile test in West Philippine Sea
The Philippine government will look into a US report that China tested ballistic missiles near the Spratlys, a move the Pentagon called 'disturbing'
Lorenzana meets with Japan defense minister in Tokyo
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana 'reaffirms' the Philippine defense department's partnership with Japan
DND, AFP renew call for defense treaty review in Balikatan 2019
'Remember the treaty was made in 1951, and several things have already transpired,' says Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr
[ANALYSIS] The security challenge for PH and Vietnam
Better security relations with Vietnam will ultimately benefit us. Here's why.
Lorenzana-Locsin clash over Mutual Defense Treaty heats up
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana fears 'being involved in a war that we do not seek and do not want' when the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty kicks in
Lorenzana wants PH to protest China 'rescue center' in Spratlys
'We don't want them keeping on building things there.... It will become theirs,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Supreme Court compels DND to submit confidential 2018 martial law report
Justices want to assess whether the report can be tackled in the upcoming oral arguments, or if it warrants an executive session
Duterte 'receptive' to gov’t takeover of Hanjin's Subic shipyard
'We see the possiblility of having our own shipbuilding capacity in the Philippines, especially large ships like what is being built by Hanjin shipyard in Subic,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Lorenzana to review Mutual Defense Treaty: 'Is it still relevant to our security?'
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the objective of the review of the treaty is to either 'maintain it, strengthen it, or scrap it'
Paolo Duterte's anti-administration list 'fake news' – Lorenzana
'The first time I saw that posting, I said it's fake news. I still maintain that it's fake news,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Lorenzana says no martial law scenario in Duterte order vs ‘lawless violence’
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the order is simply meant to intensity efforts to achieve peace, especially in the countryside
Big chunk of 2017 intel funds spent by only 3 institutions – COA
These 3 institutions are the Office of the President, the Department of National Defense, and Congress
DOJ's latest proof vs Trillanes: No minutes of all amnesty deliberations
In court, the justice department initially says there are no minutes for the Trillanes amnesty, but a cross-examination of the witness shows there are no minutes for everyone
Defense chiefs of Philippines, U.S. tackle ISIS in Pentagon meet
The two defense chiefs – Delfin Lorenzana of the Philippines and James Mattis of the United States – discuss 'combating ISIS and other violent extremist networks'
Baggao town in Cagayan worst hit by Typhoon Ompong – DND
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the coastal town of Baggao was in the direct path of Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) when it hit land at 1:40 am Saturday
Duterte did not consult Lorenzana on Trillanes' amnesty
The defense chief refuses to comment on the validity of the President's order, saying it's now up to the Supreme Court
Without saying why, Calida called Lorenzana for Trillanes' amnesty records
(3rd UPDATE) 'He (Calida) asked me personally by phone to get his (Trillanes') amnesty records,' says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
[WRAP | Day 6] AFP chief Galvez, Honasan push for rule of law in Trillanes case
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Carlito Galvez Jr and Senator Gregorio Honasan II, both granted amnesty for failed coups, say due process must be followed
