Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro of Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Aug 20 (UPI) -- The Philippine military Wednesday vowed to continue its offensive against Muslim separatists following several attacks in southern Mindanao this week.

Called by some people as “Mr SSS, Teodoro has left and indelible mark on the lives of Filipino workers, said SSS president Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo.

Teodoro is survived by his wife Mercedes and son Gilberto Jr.

Teodoro was administrator from January 1966 to February 1986, the longest to serve as head of the SSS, which was established in 1957.

But Teodoro is a candidate for an Olympic gold medal for being fast on the job.

their own participation in the coup d’état.

transforming the DND-AFP into a more efficient and responsive agency.

drafting of a legislation that seeks to improve its equipment and facilities.

BRUNEIAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE.

the Tribal Federation of Nueva Vizcaya.

Teodoro was referring to the November 29, 2007 takeover by the Magdalo leaders, including Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of the Manila Peninsula hotel, also in the Makati financial district, which, like the 2003 uprising, failed to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

But Teodoro said the policy was to sustain offensives against the NPA, saying the insurgency should be defeated with military force, not without.

MANILA, PhilippinesDefense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro took a swipe at President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyos critics who plan to boycott her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, daring them to hear her out first before they complain.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano said troops nationwide were placed on red alert for the address.

Teodoro said while he is not begrudging the people who are calling for a truce with the rebels led by commanders Umbra Kato and Bravo, the government cannot agree to such calls because such ceasefire will stop government from enforcing its laws.

Teodoro said in declaring such truce, a balance has to be reached between the possible effects of these operations on the communities and the enforcement of law against the rebels who were responsible for recent atrocities in Central Mindanao.

Teodoro said the government cannot just allow the group of commanders Kato and Bravo to go unpunished or their atrocious activities will be swept under the rug because this will send the wrong signal that the government institutions are so weak.

Teodoro said the communist rebel movement is "extorting" money from mining firms to finance its armed rebellion.

Assuring investors and mining companies in attendance during the conference, Teodoro said the government will deal hard against the CPP-NPA.

Aside from the CPP-NPA, Teodoro said the Abu Sayyaf Group with ties to the Jemaah Islamiya and the splinter groups from Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are also posing security concerns in areas where there are mining activities, particularly in southwestern Mindanao.

have credibility among officers and men of the Armed Forces.

himself,” Teodoro said in an interview.

Gilberto Teodoro said at the weekend the country's armed forces would also need newer and faster boats to complement the surveillance system as the Philippines sets up a coastal watch network to tighten control at its maritime borders with Malaysia and Indonesia.

Teodoro said it would take several years for Manila to set up a coast watch system guarding the country's vast maritime borders.

Teodoro said no one was injured, but Associated Press reported that at least two people were injured.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Jan 8 that the military increase its presence in two gold mining regions in an effort to dismantle bases of the Maoist rebel group New People's.

Leonard Vincent Teodoro said the rebels occupied Tipo Tipo's town hall, schools and several houses before government forces drove them out.

Teodoro said the guerrillas led by a key regional commander, Ameril Umbra Kato, were no longer following the orders of their leaders.

Last week, Arroyo said that Teodoro was "safe" from a looming Cabinet revamp, amid rumors that Esperon, one of her most loyal generals, would take over the defense portfolio.

We have to review our rules to make sure that soldiers uphold human rights," Teodoro said in a statement.

Teodoro says the military needs to change its perception as a human-rights violator and that the combat rules and operations should conform to international standards.

Teodoro says the forthcoming review is merely coincidental with the recommendations of the Melo Commission.

Teodoro said calamity victims in Bicol would benefit from the humanitarian projects and that the Balikatan would have little impact on the militarys internal security operations.

Teodoro says he will focus more on work.

Teodoro said the livelihood assistance would be in the form of equipments for fishermen and seeds for farmers.

Emergency assistance would be “cash for work” for those who would help reconstruct the centuries-old bridge in the area and make it accessible again Teodoro said that he is relieved to see that students are already going to school and that the evacuees were able to build temporary shelters.

Teodoro said the landslide rendered", "Journal Online.

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the issue was aired during a meeting between a special government taskforce on refugee and various UN agencies.

Although the military has been pouring more resources into the fight against Muslim militants, Teodoro said the government still considers communist rebel group the New People’s Army (NPA) the biggest long-term security threat.

Earlier this week, the NPA’s founder Jose Maria Sison was arrested on murder charges in The Netherlands and Teodoro said his arrest would weaken the movement and could force its leaders to return to the negotiating table.

I don't think anybody outside the law can have the right to demand reforms against the government of the Philippines," Teodoro said in an interview at the main military base in Manila.

Teodoro said the government would also not show any mercy to the Abu Sayyaf, a group of Islamic militants in the south of the country linked to Al Qaeda.