History of National Security Concept

The Peace of Westphalia served as the foundation for the modern idea of "national security." wherein
the concept of a sovereign state, ruled by a sovereign, became the basis of a new international order of
nation states. From Thomas Hobbes’ 1651 book titled “Leviathan” stated that citizens submit to a strong
monarch that has a will to end the civil and religious war, and to bring forth a lasting peace. According to
Immanuel Kant, in his 1795 essay, “Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch,” proposed a system in
which an enlightened global order would take the place of nation-states.

In the United States of America, national security can be seen as a post-Second World War phenomenon
and has to some degree replaced some other concepts that describe the great effort of every nation to
overcome various external and internal threats. National Security Act of 1947 was signed on 26 July
1947, by U.S. President Harry S. Truman.
The National Security Act of 1947 created important improvements in American Law on national
security, such as the precursor to the Department of Defense, subordinated the military branches to the
new cabinet-level position of the Secretary of Defense, and established the National Security Council
and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

National Security of The Philippines

1935 - Commonwealth Act. No 1 also known as the National Defense Act established the Philippine
Army and a national defense policy.

1950 - National Security Council was created during President Elpidio Quirino through Executive Order
No. 330, dated 01 July 1950, and was reorganized by the virtue of Executive Order No. 115, series of
1986.

1987 – The 1987 Constitution mandates civilian control of the military and establishes the President as
commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The President also heads the National Security Council,
ostensibly the policy-making and advisory body for matters connected with national defense.

Article II, Sections 16 - 20:

Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
- A balanced and healthful ecology carries with it the correlative duty to refrain from damaging and
impairing the environment. Therefore, the state prioritizes the safety, protection, and conservation of
nature.

Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development.
- Providing education to all citizens to have general and broadening their understanding about the
knowledge regarding science and technology, arts, culture, and sports.

Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare.
- The health of human workers cannot be put in the same record as tools and machinery as the state
recognizes that human labor is not merely for commercial use. Therefore, the security and well-being of
the workers as well as their rights will be protected by the state.

Section 19. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively
controlled by Filipinos.
- A self-sufficient national economy is what the state strives to establish. One that is governed by its
people, the Filipinos without the need to depend on other nations.

Section 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private
enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments.
- Businesses run by individuals are appreciated by the state. The benefits they bring to the nation's
economy are unparalleled, therefore, the government encourages its ventures.