CAMP O’DONNELL, Tarlac — Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. led the graduation of 552 new army officers on July 4, 2026.
Teodoro represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to welcome the new graduates into the armed forces family. The ceremony honored 362 graduates of the Officer Candidate Course (OCC) “Gundaway” Class 64-2026 and 190 graduates of the OCC-ROTC “Talagilab” Class 03-2026.
During his keynote address, Teodoro praised the graduates for their resilience, personal sacrifices, and perseverance at a young age.
“You struggled and you overcame. And you chose a path not easy to get to where you are,” Teodoro remarked.
Their commitment reinforces his resolve to build a credible defense posture against internal and external security threats.
The Defense Secretary described military service as a sacred calling and urged the officers to prioritize the Republic. He also highlighted that long-term internal stability remains a critical foundation for a much stronger national defense.
Teodoro drew inspiration from Korean War heroes Captain Conrado Yap and Lieutenant Jose Arciaga to motivate the graduates. He reminded the new officers that training fortitude would carry them through their roles as newly commissioned leaders.
“Your journey reflects the courage and resilience of those who came before you,” Teodoro said to the class.
