Delfin Lorenzana

On January 15, 2021, Lorenzana sent a letter to Danilo Concepcion, the president of the University of the Philippines (UP), that the DND has unilaterally terminated the UP–DND accord, a 1989 agreement that sets guidelines on military and police operations inside the university. He called the agreement "obsolete", and reasoned that its abrogation was necessary since the New People's Army (NPA) have "embedded themselves inside UP and are recruiting university students". He insisted that UP has become "a safe haven for enemies of the State", and that the university administration failed to prevent its students from joining the communists. The abrogation was met with protests from the university's students and faculty, as well as progressive groups and government officials, calling it a threat to academic freedom. Nonetheless, on January 21, Lorenzana announced the unilateral abrogation of a similar pact between the DND and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) that was signed in 1990.

In April 2021, while serving as Chairman of the National Task Force against COVID-19, Lorenzana revealed that he had contracted the virus, although he claims that he is asymptomatic.

On March 25, 2020, Secretary Lorenzana has been designated by President Duterte to lead the National Task Force (NTF) created by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to fight COVID-19. As such, he handles the operational command to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) that was created to effectively and efficiently implement and decentralize the system of managing the COVID-19 situation.

Under the AFP Modernization Program, 80% of all projects under the Horizon 1 and Horizon 2 have been completed as of third quarter of 2020. Among the vital assets delivered in 2020 include the BRP Jose Rizal, the first missile frigate of the Philippine Navy; six brand-new Super Tucano from Brazil for close air support, light attack, aerial reconnaissance missions, and counter insurgency; first batch of the Sikorsky S70-I Blackhawk Helicopters from Poland; and Php1.38 billion worth of defense gears from the US Defense Department.

He also personally joins pre-and post-disaster assessment inspections and briefings like what he did during Typhoon Haima or Super Typhoon Lawin, Battle of Marawi, Pampanga and Mindanao Earthquakes, 2020 Taal Volcano Eruption, and other disasters.

On September 8, 2020, Lorenzana confirmed to the House of Representatives that he signed a contract allowing Dito Telecommunity (which is 40% owned by the Government of China through China Telecom) to install cell towers inside Filipino military camps despite multiple security concerns. He assured there are enough safeguards in the deal, saying the "security of our camps will be maintained."

Pursuant to Lorenzana's recommendation, the Martial Law in Mindanao was no longer extended by the President after it lapsed on December 31, 2019. Its objectives have been successfully achieved upon the termination of rebellion in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, and other areas in Mindanao, effectively restoring peace and order.

In May 2019, Secretary Lorenzana was again designated as the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The region is now undergoing fast transition as the Bangsamoro Organic Law is being implemented. While this designation is pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 creating the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, he also fully supports Muslims in their exercise of their right to autonomy and self-determination under one Philippine Flag.

In 2018, the Philippine Congress enacted RA No. 11164 increasing the pension of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans from Php5,000 to Php20,000. Lorenzana's leadership was instrumental in the approval of this monumental welfare legislation for veterans that was strongly supported by the President.

On May 23, 2017, shortly after the Marawi City was besieged by foreign and local terrorists, he was appointed by the President Rodrigo Duterte as administrator of Martial Law in Mindanao, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 217.

After Rodrigo Duterte won the 2016 presidential election, Lorenzana was named as the incoming Secretary of National Defense. He took office on the same day as Duterte, June 30, on an ad interim basis. In an interview with Reuters, he announced that crushing Abu Sayyaf, supporting the war against drugs, and enforcing sovereignty in the South China Sea will be his priorities. However, in August, Duterte offered the position of defense secretary to Gilbert Teodoro, who served in that position under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He then offered Lorenzana to become ambassador to the United States. Both men declined their respective offers, thus Lorenzana stayed as defense secretary. His appointment was then confirmed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments on October 19.

With the reorganization of the Duterte Cabinet in May 2016 through Executive Order No. 24, Lorenzana assumed a bigger role as Chairperson of the Security, Justice, and Peace Cluster. The cluster works to protect the national territory and boundaries of the Philippines, attain just and lasting peace, ensure welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers, strengthen the rule of law, institutionalize an efficient and impartial justice system; and protect human rights. Under his leadership, the cluster crafted its roadmap until 2022 which the member agencies are resolutely fulfilling, as part of the government's sworn commitment to the Filipino people.

Notably, Lorenzana also lobbied for the Parole Program for children of Filipino WW2 veterans to join their parents in the United States. This was signed thru Executive Order by US President Obama in July 2015 and is now being implemented by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

On the policy side, he is steadfast in implementing Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and in honoring Philippines’ international commitments such as the Hyogo Framework and the Sendai Framework towards building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters. He also actively promotes regional cooperation among ASEAN countries to strengthen resilience and sustain economic growth amidst the presence of hazards.

He also helped secure $0.5M annual grant-in-aid for the Veterans Memorial Medical Center 2003-2015 that totaled $12M+ over twelve years, and worked for the unification of Filipino-American efforts in support of the World War II (WW2) Filipino veterans equity lobby in the United States. This unified effort was instrumental in the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund with an appropriation of $198M on February 17, 2009. An additional $67M was appropriated in 2010 for a total of $265M that awarded $9K/$15K for each qualified surviving Filipino WW2 veteran (naturalized US Citizens/Filipinos).

Under the current administration, Php6.421 billion was ordered released by President Duterte to settle the arrearages in pensions of AFP retirees covering fiscal years 2008 to 2013. This was made possible through the Lorenzana's genuine concern for his fellow veterans and their families.

His last posting as a military officer was as defense attaché at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., USA, where he retired in 2004 with the rank of major general.

Lorenzana was responsible for organizing, equipping, training and deploying Special Operations Command (SOCOM) forces all over the Philippines. During his stint at SOCOM, he led the conduct of the successful Balikatan 01-1 exercises involving United States Special Forces and AFP personnel in Mindanao. The exercise contributed to the recovery by SOCOM elements of the American couple Martin and Gracia Burnham from their Abu Sayyaf kidnappers in July 2002.

Lorenzana also helped develop the Terms of Reference for the highly successful Balikatan 02-2 Exercises between the AFP and the US Pacific Command in Basilan Philippines in 2002, to support military operations aimed to neutralize the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in Southern Philippines.

As concurrent Ground Commander of the Task Force Libra, Lorenzana's unit was deployed in Metro Manila to maintain a ready ground force to maintain stability. His forces secured former President Estrada while he was detained at the Veterans Medical Memorial Center and prevented pro-Erap forces from barging in the compound to free him. On May 1, 2001, with three battalions of troops and armor assets, the unit effectively prevented the overrun of Malacañang Palace by about 70,000 pro-Erap mob who were bent on unseating then newly installed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This dispersal operation was smoothly and peacefully accomplished, with only minor injuries to the operating troops and the pro-Erap mob.

Their division captured the kidnap-for-ransom leader Tahir Alonto and his group in July 1999 and brought three hostages to safety. When Tahir Alonto's men attacked the General Santos Police prison in November 2000 to free their leader, Lorenzana's men succeeded in recovering more than 50 escapees.

During this time, Lorenzana served as a member of the Government Peace Panel during talks with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from 1998 to 2001.

With President Joseph Estrada's "all-out war" pronouncement against the MILF, Lorenzana's troops overran and captured three MILF camps during the AFP campaign from 1998 to 2000. They then maintained peace and order in their area of operation, enabling the local and national government to pursue development projects without interference from lawless elements.

Aside from making operations plans, troop deployment and Disaster Rescue Plans in SouthCom area encompassing the whole of Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, Lorenzana supervised the successful operation against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group based in their Al-Madinah Camp in Basilan in May 1993.

He gained national prominence after successfully defending Malacañang against rebel soldiers who attempted to overrun the palace in November to December 1989, by making sure that PSG troops were in constant readiness.

As Platoon leader and Company Commander, Lorenzana led men in the Mindanao and Luzon Campaigns against Moro National Liberation Front secessionists and NPA insurgents, respectively. He also acted as staff officer of Army units up to Battalion level, and served as instructor at the Scout Ranger School and the Army Training Command (1985).

Lorenzana graduated from the Philippine Military Academy as part of the Maagap Class of 1973.

Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, OLH, KGOR (born October 28, 1948) is a retired Philippine Army general who served as Secretary of National Defense in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2022. He served in the Philippine Army from 1973 to 2004.