Manila, April 6 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. called on all Filipinos to "choose the Republic" amid challenges.

"Sa harapan ng krisis (in the face of crisis), ang (the) temptation is to take an easy way out and for a short-term gain versus ang ating (our) resilience bilang isang bansa (as a nation)," Teodoro said during Monday's wreath-laying ceremony in commemoration of the 84th "Araw ng Kagitingan" (Day of Valor) and 2026 Philippine Veterans Week at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

"And by being here, I think you have made a choice. Namili na kayo na para sa Republika ng Pilipinas - hindi tayo pwedeng tumiklop sa harapan ng mga interes ng ating bansa, sa ating teritoryo, sa ating kapa...