Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. presented awards to Armed Forces, police, coast guard and fire protection units on November 11, 2026, at the Visayas Command (VISCOM) headquarters in Camp Lapulapu, Apas, Cebu City, recognizing their contributions to the successful conduct of the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ADMM-Plus, held in Cebu from October 26 to 31, 2026.
The Department of National Defense (DND), in a press release issued through Assistant Secretary Arsenio R. Andolong, said Teodoro was accompanied during the ceremony by VISCOM Commander Lieutenant General Moises L. Micor of the Philippine Air Force.
Twelve AFP Units Receive SND Service Merit Medal
According to the DND press release, the Secretary of National Defense (SND) Service Merit Medal was conferred upon twelve Armed Forces of the Philippines units, each represented by their respective commanders or unit heads. The recipients were the Visayas Command (VISCOM), represented by LTGEN Moises L. Micor PAF; the Joint Task Group of the DND, represented by COMMO Elmer G. Toriado PN; and the Joint Task Unit of VISCOM, represented by COL Arthur M. Romanillos Jr. PA (MNSA).
Also receiving the medal were Joint Task Force Spear, represented by MGEN Joey A. Escanillas PA, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division; Joint Task Force Storm, represented by MGEN Peter B. Burgonio PA, Commander of the 8th Infantry Division; Tactical Operations Wing Central, represented by BGEN Sheillah Grace E. Vicente PAF; and Naval Forces Central, represented by COMMO Junjie B. Tabuada PN.
The DND further listed the 53rd Engineering Brigade, represented by BGEN Joel N. Sobrera PA; the Air Mobility Command, represented by BGEN Luisito F. Angeles Jr. PAF; Camp Lapulapu Station Hospital, represented by COL Josefa Andrea G. Cornista MC (GSC); the Joint Intelligence Task Unit of VISCOM, represented by LTC Joffrey S. Tacusalme (GSC) PA; and the 4th Communications, Electronics, and Information Systems Group, represented by MAJ Warren Bionat PA.
Letters of Commendation for PNP, Coast Guard, and BFP
Three non-AFP agencies that supported the defence meetings were presented with Letters of Commendation, the DND said. The Philippine National Police Regional Office 7, represented by PBGEN Arnold E. Abad, was among those cited. Coast Guard District Central Visayas, represented by RADM Agapito B. Bibat of the Philippine Coast Guard, and BFP Regional Office 7, represented by FSSUPT Joelito S. Sabandal of the Bureau of Fire Protection, likewise received commendations.
Secretary Teodoro on the Complexity of the Security Operation
Speaking at the ceremony, Teodoro described the demands of coordinating protection and logistics for high-ranking defence officials from across the ASEAN region.
"It is not easy to logisticize and to plan a convergence of such high-level individuals from the pre-arrival stage to the arrival stage, to the billeting, to making sure they are entertained and protected properly, and until the time they leave and are safely beyond the area of responsibility of the Philippines. And it went off without incident, which is a credit to your collective efforts, and I applaud you."
— Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Department of National Defense
The DND said the awards were given as part of the Philippines' ASEAN 2026 Chairship.
Teodoro: VISCOM Area to Be a Central Logistics Hub
Teodoro also used the occasion to restate VISCOM's strategic role within the national defense structure. According to the DND press release, he said the command covers internal security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and logistics for territorial defense.
"Once again, I reiterate that the VISCOM area will be a central logistics area for also territorial defense operations and for internal security logistics once again, because we are the center of the Philippines for a purpose, and that purpose is to be the logistics hub on both areas of the southern Philippines, the MIMAROPA region, and Northern Mindanao."
— Secretary Teodoro
Marcos Gratitude Conveyed to Award Recipients
The DND press release also noted that Teodoro conveyed the appreciation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the awarded personnel and units.
"This should serve as an inspiration not only to you but also to your men that all your hard work is well appreciated by everyone. And my job here is to send our thanks for the commitment, the professionalism, and the devotion to duty that you have shown."
— Secretary Teodoro, relaying President Marcos' sentiments
Photo credit: Department of National Defense
Source: Department of National Defense