Threats to Nat al Security (Excerpted from the National eur Policy 2011-2016) Fundamental Elements ‘There are seven fundamental elements that lie at the core of national security, and, therefore, further amplify our definitions of national security. lL Ti Socio-political stability. We must achieve peace and harmony among all Filipinos, regardless of creed, ethnic origin, or social station. The government and the people must engage in nation- building under the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and full respect for human right. Territorial integrity. We must ensure the permanent inviolability of our national territory and its effective control by the government and the state. This includes the preservation of our country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its protection from illegal incursions and resource exploitations. Economic solidarity and strengths. We must vigorously pursue a free-market economy through responsible entrepreneurship based on social conscience and respect for the dignity of labor and for the public interest. Ecological balance, National survival rests upon the effective conservation of our national environment in the face of industrial and agricultural expansion and population growth. Cultural cohesiveness. Our lives as a people must be ruled bya common set of values and beliefs grounded on high moral and ethical standards drawn from our heritage and embodying a Filipino standard, transcending religious, ethics, and linguistic differences. Moral-spiritual consensus. We must be propelled by a national vision inspired and manifested in our words and deeds by patriotism, national pride, and the advancement of national goals and objectives. External peace. We must pursue constructive and cordial relations with all nations and peoples, even as our nation itself must chart an independent course, frée from external control, interference, or threat of aggression,eae internal and External Threats Internal Threat Our national security environment is infused with four important dimensions. Internal threats to our national security make up the first dimension. 1 The main internal threat arises from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which, in open rebellion against the government, has the avowed objective of establishing an independent Islamic state in Southern Philippines. ” The Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/ National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) continue to pose a serious threat to national security, although presently weakened in comparison with their peak strength in the 1985-1987 period. Organized crime is a national security concern. The challenge of illegal drugs, in particular, has grown into a major threat to the national community. Grave incidence of poverty is also a serious threat to national security, especially to the extent that it breeds and abets rebellion, crime, and dissidence. Poverty incidence affects about one-third of Filipino families nationwide. Economic sabotage undermines the market economy, the financial system, and the nation’s resources. Under this category are underground activities such as counterfeiting, money laundering, large-scale smuggling, inter-oceanic poaching, and commercial dumping. Graft and corruption has become another threat to our national security by virtue of the huge scale by which it saps public resources, undermines the morale of the civil service, and affects the delivery of quality basic services. Severe calamities cause serious food shortages and abet hoarding and profiteering resulting in hunger, disease, and deprivation, Over the past ten years, the disaster toll stands at more than 16,000 lives lost and P375 billion worth of property destroyed.Persistent environment degradation poses a long-term security 8. threat. The attrition of forests and watersheds, air-land-water pollution, and the proliferation of toxic substances are the causes of sickness, death, and the diminution of national productivity and well-being. External Threat The growing uncertainties that lie i make up the second dime! nthe regional and global milieu nsion of our national security environment, even as threat of external aggression against our country remains in the remote horizon. LR The multilateral dispute over the Spratly Islands is a source of intermittent tensions, owing to the building of structures, believed to be military-oriented, by some claimant countries in the area. This is a clear encroachment into the Philippine EEZ which is being met through a comprehensive package of diplomatic measures. The smuggling of firearms and contraban, illegal migration, and the occasional movement of foreign terrorists through the porous borders of our southwestern frontier have elicited transnational concem. Philippine law enforcement agencies work closely with international police organizations, bilaterally and multilaterally, to check these activities. ‘The lingering effects of the currency crisis affecting the countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are a cause of regional anxieties, which tend to aggravate political instabilities and socio-economic dislocations involving the poorest peoples. The serious economic disparity between rich and poor nations keeps the world in a state of instability and virtually on the brink of war in many places. Local or regional shortages of fresh water, arable land, food, fisheries, and energy fuels are already causing tensions. Ethnic, religious, and cultural conflicts pervade many regions and nations, including our own. It is constantly exacerbatedeee 7. Tipes of Security Threats (Labuguen, et al., 2010) by mass poverty, limited access to resources, denial of human rights, lack of national integration, and international issues. ‘The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) is a threat to global security. Nuclear materials and technologies are more accessible now than at any other time in history. The relative ease of production of both chemical and biological weapons has made these weapons attractive to terrorists. Transnational organized crime has proliferated in the era of globalization. The International Monetary Fund estimates that global drug trafficking now accounts for two percent of the world economy, excluding illicit capital flight and money- laundering activity. Natural disasters and environment issues will continue to pervade the global security agenda. Mankind’s global activities—particularly population growth, resource consumption, pollution, urbanization, industrialization, desertification, and deforestation—will increasingly impact climate and weather patterns, strain fragile ecosystems, and put more pressure on health and social support systems. Cybernetic crime is a growing global threat, as experienced with computer viruses such as Melissa and Chernobyl, which have attacked isolated or networked information systems through the Internet or through software carriers and devices. The following are the types of security threats that could be minimized by having good citizenship values and commitment to support and act “1 issues related to national security and concern. 1. Rebellion or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It includes a range of behaviors from civil disobedience and mass non-violent resistance to violence. It attempts to destroy an-established authority such as the government. ‘Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. It refers only to those violent acts which are intendedLesson 9 | National Security Concerns | ~ contained in this document will help generate greater interest | ised our people and our institutions on various issues and concerns t # affect our national securily—the sum total of our people’s well- pring as well as oUF anchor as a democratic country imbued with our geams and aspirations, We recognize fully well that real-life challenges and opportunities require multi-disciplinary approaches in addressing and attaining our grategic national security goals and objectives. It necessitates a clear understanding of a wide array of disciplines such as among others, politics and economics, public administration and governance, history and sociology, geography and environment, a8 well as natural sciences and technology. The security challenges of the present are indeed far more complex than at any time in the history of our country, For we realize that these challenges and concerns are intertwined locally, regionally, and globally and that they are always interconnected with the risks and opportunities within and outside our national boundaries. By and large, we formulate this NSP with the widest consultation and collaboration among the various stakeholders and national security practitioners, experts, and professionals to attain the broadest range of perspective and extensive co-ownership of this national undertaking. This is precisely what I mean when I say, “Kayo ang boss.” Our people deserve the best from our government and we must always realize that the Filipinos are our greatest resource for a progressive and Prosperous Philippines. As I have said, our ultimate goal must be the * safely and well-being of our people. In line with my “Social Contract with the Filipino People,” the NSP is anchored on the four (4) key ements of good governance—delivery of basic services, economic ‘construction and sustainable development, and security sector reforms, ‘Thus, we urge our people and our government in partnership with ‘he private sector to keep our national vision clear in our way forward ‘attaining our security and development. We must learn to grasp facts “figures: clearly and understand issues and concerns carefully soNSTP-CWTS/TS: A Source Book —_ar that we will arrive at a consensus as a people and appreciate better the enduring goals of our national vision. Today, the security environment is constantly changing due to uncertainties brought about by geopolitics and the shifting landscape of armed conflicts. We must, therefore, focus our national efforts on the strategic courses of action in addressing the traditional and non- traditional threats. Certainly, there are other challenges that demand our national attention such as among others, terrorism, climate change, public health, and energy security concerns. While these are challenges which require greater preparedness and an effective national security policy response, they are likewise opportunities for the everyday life of our people. Finally, qualitatively improving as I have promised, the NSP is a vital document that contains statement of principles that influence the national decision-making and determine policy objectives and directives to attain the state or condition wherein the national interests of the Philippines, the well-being of its People and institutions, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity are protected and enhanced, As President and Commander-in-Chief, good governance starts with my office. It must radiate and permeate from the Office of the President, cascading to all the offices and instrumentalities of the government in collaboration with the private sector ant These are our first positive ste; future and pursue our national id the cooperation of our People. ps in moving forward to safeguard our interests, |, therefore, earnestly urge our people to support this National Security Policy, which is a Pe eople-centered document that lays down the foundation, and provide 's the enabling environment conducive in achieving security, peace, and Prosperity for our nation. Mabuhay tayong lahat! BENIGNO s. AQUINO, III President of the Philippines (October 21, 2010)