MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) and all its attached agencies and bureaus will remain on alert during the holiday season, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced.

“This holiday season, your DND and its attached agencies will continue to perform their duties to help ensure that you can enjoy the season safely,” Teodoro said in a statement.

Some of the attached agencies include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Office of the Civil Defense, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, the Government Arsenal, and the National Defense College of the Philippines. The DND chief emphasized vigilance against all threats, whether natural or man-made, during the holidays.

Teodoro also called for public support as the DND undergoes a transformation aimed at making it “a modern, adaptive, and capable organization in all facets essential to exercising its mandate.”

He expressed gratitude to defense and military personnel, assuring their families that they will be looked after. “We pray for the victims of this year’s calamities, both here and abroad, and resolve to work harder in order to help prevent the same from recurring. We wish all a blessed holiday season,” he added.