Philippines' Commitment to National Security

Oct 15, 2024

Lecture Notes: Address by President Marcos

Introduction

  • Dynamic leader in Asia addressing national security challenges.
  • Importance of economic development, diplomacy, military, and legal frameworks for national security.
  • Acknowledgment of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Singapore's government for facilitating dialogue.

Concept of Shangri-La

  • Symbolizes peace and harmony among nations.
  • Represents aspiration for an international community that thrives under the rule of law.

Philippines' Commitment to Peace

  • Historical commitment to values of amity and sovereignty.
  • Establishment of the Commonwealth in 1935 and Constitution based on international treaties.

Archipelagic Doctrine

  • Definition of territory according to international law.
  • Enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

West Philippine Sea

  • Frontline in asserting integrity of UNCLOS.
  • Legal frameworks guide territorial claims, supported by the 2016 Arbitral Award.
  • Strong commitment to protecting the nation's sovereignty.

Regional and Global Peace

  • Reaffirming commitment to a rules-based international order.
  • Importance of stability and predictability for regional success.

Challenges Faced

  • Seven realities in the Indo-Pacific:
    1. Unique national experiences and aspirations.
    2. Strategic competition between China and the U.S.
    3. Need for a central Asian institution amidst these dynamics.
    4. Importance of bridge-builders for multilateral solutions.
    5. Global commons crucial for security.
    6. Climate change as a global threat.
    7. Rapid advancements in technology and their implications.

Reaffirming Historical Principles

  • Importance of San Francisco (1945), Bangkok (1967), and Manila (1982) principles:
    • Sovereign equality of all states.
    • ASEAN centrality in regional cooperation.
    • Upholding the rule of law for peaceful dispute settlement.

Stance on Global Geopolitics

  • Rejecting narratives that undermine the agency of nations in regional issues.
  • Importance of cooperation between China and the U.S. for regional peace.
  • Acknowledgment of the interconnected nature of global issues.

Philippines' Defense and Foreign Policy

  • Strengthening alliances and partnerships (U.S., Japan, ASEAN members).
  • Trilateral cooperation with Indonesia and Malaysia.
  • Commitment to uphold the rules-based order in various domains (maritime, climate, etc.).

Future Vision

  • Emphasis on multilateralism as a platform for collective action.
  • Philippines aims to be a bridge-builder in global conversations on security and development.
  • Commitment to achieving a high-income economy by 2040.

Conclusion

  • Call for collective commitment to peace and stability.
  • Acknowledgment of the shared responsibilities among nations in addressing regional challenges.

Q&A Session

  • Discussion on ASEAN centrality and principles guiding it.
  • Comments on recent Philippine behavior in ASEAN context.
  • Clarification on responses to potential conflict in the region (e.g., U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty).
  • Vision for military posture and modernization of Philippine defense capabilities.