6.

NATIONAL SECURITY

6.1 Introduction

National Security 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 Government of the Republic of the Philippines envisages a
Filipino nation that has an empowered people with dedicated and
professional leaders, living in freedom, dignity and prosperity as one
community, united in its vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous county
that is capable of ensuring the survival and promoting the well-being of its
citizen.
The concept of national security has changed, evolved and expanded
in immense ways over time. No longer it exclusively refers to the traditional
notions of internal and external defense, but now also encompasses virtually
every aspect of national life and nation-building.
For the Philippines and the Filipino people, national security is
defined as “a state or condition wherein the people’s welfare, well-being,
ways of life; government and its institutions; territorial integrity;
sovereignty; and core values are enhanced and protected.”

National security is anchored on three major pillars:

1. The first pillar is safeguarding the Philippines’ national unity, its

democracy and its social institutions. 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. This is clearly provided in the
Constitution, to wit:
 Definition of national territory consistent with new
international covenants. (Art. I)
 Renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy.
(Art. II Sec. 2)
 Civilian supremacy over military. (Art. II Sec. 3)
 Role of the armed forces as protector of the people and
the State. (Art. II Sec. 3)
  Maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life,
liberty and property, and the promotion of the general
welfare. (Art. II Sec. 5)
 Pursuit of an independent foreign policy based on national
sovereignty and national interest. (Art. II Sec. 7)
 Right to self-determination. (Art. II Sec. 7)
 Freedom from nuclear weapons. (Art. II Sec. 8)
 Suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. (Art. III Sec. 15)
 Concept of a citizen army. (Art. XVI Sec. 4)
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.

Activity 1 – Activate
National Security Concept Map
Perform the following:
1. Group yourselves into five (5).
2. Using the library of the internet as a source of your references
create a concept map of the three pillars of national security by
providing the strategies, projects, or programs being employed by
the government to achieve each.
3. Submit the output to your teacher of faculty-in-charge. Confirm if
the output required is to be printed or submitted online.

6.2 National Security Policy

The primary objective of the National Security Policy (NSP) is to fulfill

this national vision and safeguard the national interests which include,
among others, the protection of the people, their ways of life, welfare and
well-being; strengthening of the country’s democratic institutions;
safeguarding its territorial integrity and sovereign rights; and enhancing
the Philippines’ role and image as a strategic partner of the international
community.

a. Fundamental Elements
There are seven (7) fundamental elements that lie at the core which
therefore further amplify our definition of national security. At the same
time, they constitute the most important challenges we face as a nation and
people.

1. 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 the full
respect for human rights.
2. Territorial Integrity: we must ensure the permanent inviolability of
our nation territory and it’s effective control by the government and
the state.
3. Economic Solidarity and Strength: we must vigorously pursue a
free-market economy through responsible entrepreneurship based on
social conscience, respect for the dignity of labor and concern for the
public interest.
4. Ecological Balance: national survival rests upon the effective
conservation of our natural environmental in the face of industrial and
agricultural expansion and population growth.
5. Cultural Cohesiveness: our lives as a people must be ruled by a
common set of values and believe grounded on high moral and ethical
standards, drawn from our heritage and embodying a Filipino
standard identity transcending religious, ethnic and linguistic
differences.
6. 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 objective.
7. External Peace: we must pursue constructive and cordial relations
with all nations and peoples, even as our nations itself must chart an
independent course, free from external control, interference or threat
or aggression.

b. Threats to National Security

The national security sector needs to give focused attention to several
internal and external issues and challenges confronting the Philippine
society.

Internal Threats

1. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF): the MILF in constructive

peace negotiation, the armed activities of the group continue to be a
source of serious concern, particularly the build-up its defensive and
offensive capabilities. Hand in hand with this security problem is the
threat from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a small band of highly
mobile terrorists with suspected links to international networks.
2. The Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s
Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF): continuously
pose a serious threat to national security, although presently
weakened in comparison with their peak strength in the period 1985-
1987.
3. Organized crime: is a national security concern. The challenge of
illegal drugs in particular, has grown into a major threat to the
national community.
4. Grave incidence of poverty: is also a serious threat to national
security, especially to the extent that it breeds rebellion, crime and
dissidence. Poverty incidence affects about one-third (1/3) of Filipino
nationwide.
5. 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.
6. Graft and corruption: have 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.
7. Severe calamities: cause serious food shortages, abet hoarding and
profiteering tool stands at more than 13,000 lives lost and p179
Billion worth of property destroyed.
8. Persistent environment degradation: poses a long-term security
threat. The attrition of forest and watersheds, air-land-water pollution
and the proliferation of toxic substances are a cause of sickness,
death and the diminution of national productivity and well-being.

External Threats

1. The multi-lateral dispute over the Spratly Island, is a source of

intermittent tensions, owing to the build-up structures, believed to be
military-oriented, by some claimant countries in the area.
2. The smuggling firearms and contraband, illegal migration and
occasional movement of foreign terrorists through the porous borders
of our southwestern frontier have elicited transnational concern.
Philippine law enforcement agencies work closely with international
police organizations, bilaterally and multilaterally, to check these
activities.
3. The lingering effects of the currency crisis affecting the countries
within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are a
cause of regional anxieties which tend to aggravate the political
instabilities and socioeconomic dislocations involving the poorest
people.
4. 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.
5. Ethnic, religious and cultural conflict pervades many regions and
nations including our own. It is constantly exacerbated by mass
 poverty, limited access to resources, denial of human rights, lack of
national integration and international issues.

c. National Security Interests and Goals (2023-2028)

Figure 1. National Security Interests and Goals

Source: National Security Policy Manual [Link]

Activity 2 – Analyze
National Security Policy Infographic
Perform the following:
1. Divide the class into 15 groups (to correspond with the topics in
focus).
2. Let the groups read the National Security Policy Manual 2023-2028
that can be accessed online.
3. Each group will create an infographic about a particular point in the
15-point National Security Agenda.
4. Specifically, each group will create a visual representation of
information about the 15-point National Security Agenda. This
may be in firm of pictures, graphs, tables, and other visual imagery
that explain the topic. (Note: Specific cases of challenges and
threats in national security and the current government programs
must be cited as examples.)
5. Send the copy in PDF and on a A4 bond paper size to your teacher
or faculty-in-charge.
 6. Upload and share the infographic on social media to reach wide
audience.

Activity 3 – Apply
1. Subdivide the class into small groups of at least five (5) members
each.
2. Each group must select a town/community/barangay and observe its
current national security issues through an actual visit to the
community or via information on the community’s social media
page, for instance. Choose only a community that is familiar to your
group. Among the issues observed, which has more impact on the
lives of people?
3. Within the group, suggest five (5) practical and feasible
projects/programs/ordinances that can help alleviate the chosen
national issue. Explain how different stakeholders (youth,
government officials, NGOs and interest groups, among others) can
participate in these programs/ordinances.

Chosen Town/Community
National Security Issue of Chosen Town/Community
Proposed Programs/Ordinances Role of Stakeholders
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
4.

6.3 National Security Council

The National Security Council (NSC) is the principal advisory body on

the proper coordination and integration of plans and policies affecting
national security. The NSC consists of two distinct bodies - the Council
Proper and the National Security Council Secretariat.
 The Council Proper is a collegial body chaired by the President. It
includes concerned officials of the Cabinet and Congress, as members, as
well as other government officials and private citizens who may be invited
by the President.

The Council was created during the Quirino Administration through

Executive Order (EO) No. 330, dated 01 July 1950. It was reorganized by
virtue of EO No. 115, series of 1986. The NSC Secretariat is a permanent
body that provides technical support to the Council Proper. It is headed by
the Director General / National Security Adviser.

Figure 2. National Security Council Members

Source: National Security Policy Manual [Link]

REFERENCES:

Online:
1. [Link]
Pdf:

1. Threats to national security (Joann Villareal)

2. National Security Policy Manual 2017-2022
3. National Security Policy Manual 2023-2028