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NATIONAL SECURITY AND OTHER NATIONAL CONCERNS Competencies: 1.get familiar with the various internal and external threats affecting the national/local security concerns; 2. prepare action plan in preventing threats in the school and the community as a contribution in addressing national security co...

NATIONAL SECURITY AND OTHER NATIONAL CONCERNS Competencies: 1.get familiar with the various internal and external threats affecting the national/local security concerns; 2. prepare action plan in preventing threats in the school and the community as a contribution in addressing national security concerns; 3. be aware of their involvement to help address national security concerns particularly in the community and the university. 4. develop a sense of appreciation for the enduring values crucial to national security, such as patriotism, democracy, and respect for human rights. CONCEPT OF NATIONAL SECURITY The concept of national security has changed, evolved and expanded in immense ways over time. No longer does it exclusively refer to the traditional notions of internal and external defense, but now also encompasses virtually every aspect of national life and nation-building. In the new framework, economic development and security are inextricably linked and mutually reinforcing concepts. Development, or economic and social well-being, is a precondition for national, internal and external security - and vice versa. Prosperity leads to greater social peace and stability, and greater peace and stability leads to more progress. National security is anchored on three major pillars. 1. The first pillar is safeguarding the Philippines' national unity, its democracy and its social institutions. a. The most important foundation of national unity is that all citizens share one national identity that is, being Filipinos regardless of their ethnic, religious, cultural and ideological orientations. 2. The second pillar of national security is ensuring the security of the State and preserving and protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and institutions. 3. The third pillar is the protection of properties, infrastructures and keeping the people safe from all forms of threats, both here and abroad, and to the extent possible, creating jobs in order to bring back home overseas Filipino workers where their physical safety can be fully guaranteed by our Government. TRADITIONAL DEFINITION AND TRANSITIONS OF NATIONAL SECURITY The protection of the nation’s people and territory from physical assault Equated with national defense Threats that emanate from outside territorial boundaries President Fidel Ramos (1992-1998): “as a state or condition wherein the people’s way of life and institutions, their territorial integrity and sovereignty, and their welfare and wellbeing are protected and enhanced” (Almonte, 1992). President Noynoy Aquino (2010): “a state or condition wherein the country’s interests, its sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic institutions, and the people’s way of life, cherished values, welfare and well-being are preserved.” (NSC, 2010) National Security Council (NSC) is “a state or condition where our most cherished values and beliefs, our democratic way of life, our institutions of governance and our unity, welfare and well-being as a nation and people are permanently protected and continuously enhanced.” The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in 1954, defines national security as “the state or condition wherein the people’s way of life and being are protected and/or advanced.” It is the primary concern of the state to ensure the welfare and well-being of every Filipino. Present Definition (NSP 2017-2022) & (NSP 2023-2028) “the state or condition wherein the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; the people’s well-being, core values, and way of life; and the State and its institutions; are protected and enhanced. 1 Page 7  ENDURING VALUES THAT HAVE ENABLED FILIPINOS THROUGH THE CENTURIES TO COPE AND THRIVE. The Philippines shall defend, preserve, and strengthen the enduring values for national security, sustainable economic development, people empowerment, and a globally competitive nation. These values are expressed concisely as: maka-Diyos (God- fearing), makatao (humane), maka- kalikasan (pro-environment), at makabansa (patriotic). NATIONAL SECURITY ELEMENTS See: Chapter 3, National Security Interest, NSP 2017-2022 The elements of national security serve as the government’s strategic focus and guide in the planning and resource allocation. 1. Public Safety, Law and Order and Justice Ensure public safety, maintain law and order, and dispense social justice within the scope of the constitutionally enshrined principles of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. - All sectors, both the government and the people collaborate and are fully engaged in building a safer and more tranquil society which involves protection of human lives, private property, public assets and critical infrastructure. 2. 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. 3. Economic Solidarity and Sustainable Development The main goal is to reduce poverty and income disparities, ensuring equal economic opportunities and fair distribution of development benefits. This involves building a robust economy aligned with the Philippines' development plans, fostering community-level initiatives for self-reliance and solidarity. 4. Territorial Integrity The country's territory is intact, inviolable, and under the effective control of the Philippine Government. It involves exercising sovereign rights over land, airspace, and maritime territories within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. The objective is to protect and defend all features and resources within its territory from invasion, illegal incursions, and resource exploitation, in accordance with relevant international laws. 5. Ecological Balance 2 Page 7 Pursue a developmental path that is sustainable, and beneficial to both present and future generations. The country must be able to maximize the rewards of its rich natural resources while at the same time conserving and protecting these finite resources for the sake of future generation. 6. Cultural Cohesiveness People must continue to embrace the values and belief systems, the moral and ethical standards, the traditions and cultural heritage which have made them truly distinct. Amid diversity, such attributes and value systems teach Filipinos to care and work for the common good and are continuously harnessed in order to promote national harmony and keep the spirit of patriotism and national pride alive. 7. Moral and Spiritual Consensus It presupposes the people's trust and confidence in the Government's commitment and capability to lead the nation toward this desired national vision. Such trust and confidence inspires and motivates the citizens to get involved and to participate vigorously in the implementation of governmental programs that promote peace and development. - National vision as stated in Ambisyon Natin 2040: The life of all Filipinos in 2040: Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay. (Read more on Ambisyon Natin 2040 in this link https://2040.neda.gov.ph/about-ambisyon-natin-2040/ 8. International Peace and Cooperation The commitment of the country in the promotion of global peace, development and humanitarianism. The security of the state is best enhanced through the pursuit of amity and cooperation with all nations and partnership with “like-minded” countries and strategic partners. - Includes the country’s pursuit of constructive and cordial relations with all peoples, but remain free from any control, interference or threat of aggression from any of them THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY See: Chapter 4, National Security Challenges, NSP -any expression of intuition to inflict evil, injury, or damage to national security and dangers to the components of national security and stability. INTERNAL THREATS a. Law and Order, and Administration of Justice. Criminality and Crimes against person: High crime rate, decreasing ability of the police to solve crime. - Illegal Drugs - corruption and patronage politics Internal Armed Conflicts a. Communist insurgency: ▪ Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)- New People’s Army (NPA)- National Democratic Front (NDF/P): one of the world’s longest running communist insurgencies and has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives since the 1960s. b. Secessionist movement ▪ Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – the largest and most organized of the myriad radical groups operating in Mindanao Terrorism and Transnational Crimes a. Local Terrorist Groups ▪ Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)- Islamist extremist organization known for its bandit-like tactics and notorious for beheadings and kidnap-for ransom activities in Mindanao. ▪ Ansar al-Khilafah Philippines (AKP), Maute Group, and Daesh-inspired entities b. Organized Crime Syndicates conducting illegal transborder activities include: ▪ drug trafficking; ▪ human trafficking of children, women, illegal migrants and labor; ▪ illegal fishing/ poaching; ▪ arms smuggling; 3 Page 7  ▪ money laundering; and ▪ wildlife trafficking. Economic and Social Threats a. Poverty b. Graft and corruption c. Resource Security (Food, Human Resources, Energy and Water) d. Infectious disease (HIV/AIDS, MersCov, SARS, COVID-19) 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 13,000 lives lost and P179 billion worth of property destroyed. Persistent environment degradation poses a long-term security 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 THREATS Overlapping Territorial Claims and Maritime Domain Issues a. The West Philippine Sea and elsewhere b. Encroachments into PHL EEZ ▪ hostile forces at sea, pirates, terrorists, traffickers, illegal fishers, and other environmental transgressors Global and Regional Geopolitical Issues a. United States, Japan, ASEAN, China and Others (South Korea, Australia, Russia and India) ▪ intensifying conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, ▪ persisting tension in the Korean Peninsula, ▪ unresolved territorial disputes in Northeast and Southeast-Asia, ▪ unsettled Sabah issue, ▪ China-Taiwan/ China-Japan/ Japan-South Korea conflicts ▪ power rivalries contesting and threatening United States Global Uncertainties and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction a. Increased Global Economic Uncertainties ▪ potential for global economic recessions ▪ slowdown in major economies of the world such as the US, China and the European Union Global Security Issues and the Welfare of OFWs a. Conflicts abroad and protection of OFWs from illegal recruitment, human trafficking, ill-treatment and human rights violations, and unfair labor practices, among others. Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction WMDs are classified into three major types: a. nuclear weapons b. chemical warfare agents, and c. biological warfare agents. Nations currently in possession of such WMDs are China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States - and a number of states are believed to possess chemical and/or biological warfare agents (Source: www.armscontrol.org ). OTHER STRATEGIC ISSUES AND CHALLENGES Rise Threat of Cybercrime 4 Page 7 Cybercrime is today’s fastest rising economic crime according to the Price Waterhouse Coopers’ (PWC) Global Economic Crime Survey. Because of the nature of cybercrime, more and more criminals are exploiting the speed, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to commit a wide range of criminal activities that know no borders, either physical or virtual, cause serious harm and pose very real threats to victims worldwide. ▪ Credit card fraud, ▪ ATM theft, ▪ call center scams, and other computer or web-based forms of deception schemes ▪ identity theft Experts noted that one of the most serious weaknesses of the Philippines is the low number of practicing cybersecurity professionals. Climate Change The country is at risk to the effects of climate change. It affects security through: a. threat to the wellbeing of the most vulnerable communities; b. impact to economic development - halting or significantly slowing-down growth thereby worsening poverty and increasing desperation; c. second-order effect of unsuccessful adaptation in the form of uncoordinated coping or survival strategies of local population; d. threat posed by climate change to the viability and even survival of a number of sovereign states; and e. availability or access to natural resource and the resultant competition and possible territorial disputes between countries. Institutional Concerns a. Deterioration of values in the security sector, political system, and bureaucracy b. Renewed focus should be given to the following key governance issues: 1. stamping out corruption and professionalizing the bureaucracy; 2. removing institutional obstacles to academic and scientific research and development; 3. facilitating a more responsive procurement system; 4. providing a more-realistic and mission-supportive government auditing rules and regulations; and 5. enhancing the Government’s ability to quickly deliver basic services (food, water, housing, education, health and nutrition, & energy) VIOLENT EXTRIMISM ADVOCATING AGAINST VIOLENT EXTREMISM Across the world, different violent extremist acts have been documented. While it is true that violent extremism is not limited to any age, sex, group or community, the most vulnerable to the messages of these organizations are the youth (UNESCO, 2016). What drove them to do such violent acts for their beliefs? Recruitment patterns Recruitment can take many different approaches. Here is one set of proposed models as to how these might be categorized and critiqued:* 'The Net': violent extremist and terrorist groups disseminate undifferentiated propaganda, such as video clips or messages, to a target population deemed homogeneous and receptive to the propaganda. 5 Page 7  'The funnel': entails an incremental approach, to target specific individuals considered ready for recruitment, using psychological techniques to increase commitment and dedication. Even targeted children who resist complete recruitment may develop positive outlooks on the group's activities. 'Infection': when the target population is difficult to reach, an 'agent' can be inserted to pursue recruitment from within, employing direct and personal appeals. The social bonds between the recruiter and the targets may be strengthened by appealing to grievances, such as marginalization or social frustration. ( Gerwehr, Scott, and Sara A. Daly (2006). Al-Qaida: terrorist selection and recruitment. Santa Monica, California, RAND Corporation. Pp. 76-80. Cited in United Nations, UNODC (2017). Hand) DEFINITIONAL APPROACHES TO 'VIOLENT EXTREMISM Governmental Australia : "Violent extremism is the beliefs and actions of people who support or use violence to achieve ideological, religious or political goals. This includes terrorism and other forms of politically motivated and communal violence." Canada : "Violent extremism" is where an offence is "primarily motivated by extreme political, religious or ideological views". Some definitions explicitly note that radical views are by no means a problem in themselves, but that they become a threat to national security when such views are put into violent action USA : The FBI defines violent extremism as the "encouraging, condoning, justifying, or supporting the commission of a violent act to achieve political, ideological, religious, social, or economic goals", whilst USAID defines violent extremist activities as the "advocating, engaging in, preparing, or otherwise supporting ideologically motivated or justified violence to further social, economic or political objectives". Norway: Violent extremism constitutes activities of persons and groups that are willing to use violence in order to achieve political, ideological or religious goals. Sweden: A violent extremist is someone "deemed repeatedly to have displayed behaviour that does not just accept the use of violence but also supports or exercises ideologically motivated violence to promote something". UK: Extremism is defined as the vocal or active opposition to fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs, as well as calls for the death of United Kingdom armed forces at home or abroad. KEY PARTS AND TOOLS OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM 1. Distorted Principles Violent extremists are driven by twisted beliefs and values-or-ideologies-that are tied to political, religious, economic, or social goals. e.g. Many violent extremist ideologies are based on the hatred of another race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or country/government 2. Groupthink Groups can be powerful way to bring people together to achieve common goals. Groupthink happens, however, when those in the group stop stating their opinions or using critical thinking because they wish to avoid conflict. This can result in extremely poor decision-making. 6 Page 7  3. Blame Extremist groups and individuals often appear in communities struggling with social or political issues. Rather than improving these situations or their own lives through constructive actions, violent extremists often place the blame on another person or group. They argue that the only solution to these problems or injustices is to violently oppose and even destroy those they claim are responsible. 4. Symbols A symbol can build pride or create a positive emotional connection. Symbols can also be used to create fear and control people. Violent extremists have used various symbols over the years to fuel feelings of revenge and hatred. They have also attacked many symbols to make their actions seem more important. 5. Propaganda Violent extremists often use propaganda-misleading or biased information that supports a particular point of view-to trick people into believing their ideologies. It’s the primary extremist recruiting tool, and you could be a target. The goal of propaganda is to create a compelling story that people will buy into by twisting the facts. References: KKIENERM. (2020). Counter-Terrorism Module 2 Key Issues: Radicalization & Violent Extremism. Unodc.org. https://www.unodc.org/e4j/zh/terrorism/module-2/key-issues/radicalization-violent- extremism.html#:~:text=USA%20(3*)%3A%20The%20FBI,engaging%20in%2C%20preparing%2C%20or%20 otherwise NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY. (2017). https://www.pagba.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/NATIONAL- SECURITY-POLICY-2017-2022.pdf NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY.(2023). https://nsc.gov.ph/images/NSS_NSP/National_Security_Policy_Manual_FINAL_E- COPY_with_WATERMARK_140823.pdf Nuclear Weapons: Who Has What at a Glance | Arms Control Association. (2023). Armscontrol.org. https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/Nuclearweaponswhohaswhat 7 Page 7