THE Department of National Defense (DND) will tap nontraditional partners and alliances in upgrading the country's defense capabilities, Defense Secretary Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro Jr. said.

Teodoro said he was instructed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 'to prepare for any eventuality that may befall the country and require the DND's resources in the future.' He added that the DND is also looking for partners, 'not only for purely defensive purposes,' but also for the convergence of the economic and security potentials of growth industries, particularly in cybertechnology.