Teodoro seeks ‘expeditionary navy’ to secure maritime resources

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday pushed for the country to have an “expeditionary navy” to secure its ships and sailors while it rebuilds its maritime industry and seeks to make better use of its vast maritime domain.

“We need an expeditionary navy to be able to protect Filipino seafarers and Filipino vessels in the high seas alongside like-minded countries,” Teodoro said at the 3rd Balangay Forum in Makati City.

The forum was held in observance of the 2026 Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month which brought together government officials, policymakers, maritime experts, industry representatives and academics to discuss the “blue economy,” maritime security and regional cooperation.

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Blue economy

An expeditionary navy is a naval force capable of deploying and operating beyond a country’s immediate waters to conduct maritime security operations.

According to Teodoro, rebuilding the country’s shipping capacity was not simply a matter of profitability but also of maintaining reserve capacity that could be crucial during crises, citing the disruptions to supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s not only a question of pure profitability, but one of reserves and one of reserve capacity, which no country can afford to lose, as we saw in the pandemic,” he said.

Being an archipelago, the Philippines should increasingly rely on its maritime domain to support its growing population, food production and economic activity, Teodoro added.

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He described the “blue economy” as the country’s link to “sustainability, development and prosperity,” saying maritime resources and sea lanes were essential to the country’s supply chains.

Without secure supply chains, the country’s economic base could be constrained and future generations could face a more marginalized life, Teodoro said.

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The defense chief also linked the development of the country’s maritime economy to stronger military capabilities. /cb