“This focus matters because the seabed is now contested space”
Securing the underwater infrastructure that carries the country’s data, trade, and lifelines is now a strategic priority for national and regional security.
The Philippines sits at the center of Indo-Pacific sea lanes and subsea cables, yet we still lack the full capability to monitor and protect what lies on the seabed.
Recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea have exposed how vulnerable our connectivity routes are and how disruptions in one area can affect entire regions.
This was the backdrop of the recent Stratbase Institute’s forum on enhancing underwater domain resilience through stronger cooperation between the Philippines and Italy.
The discussions showed how urgently the Philippines needs partners who understand the risks and have the technology, experience, and political will to help address them. Italy fits this role.
Ambassador Davide Giglio underscored our shared outlook as maritime nations.
“For both Italy and the Philippines, two maritime nations with long coastlines and strategic locations, safeguarding the underwater dimension is both a challenge and an opportunity.”
He stressed that Italy’s engagement is “practical and forward-looking,” backed by a readiness to “support capacity-building efforts and promote joint efforts and projects that link the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific.”
This focus matters because the seabed is now contested space. Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit pointed out that for a country dependent on the sea for food, trade, energy, and communication, understanding and protecting the underwater domain is “imperative.”
Italy becomes a natural partner because, as he said, “our seas are connected, and so too must be our approach.”
Retired Maj. Gen. Nestor Herico of the National Security Council highlighted how disruptions to underwater infrastructure “are not confined to any single region.”
Connectivity routes stretch from the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific, creating a single, interlinked system. Instability in one area reverberates across others.
This makes stronger regional and cross-regional cooperation not just desirable but necessary.
Italy’s National Hub for Underwater in La Spezia demonstrates the seriousness of its commitment. Captain Francesco Ruggiero described the hub as a multi-ministerial platform designed to achieve “underwater situational awareness.”
Italy is developing sensors, C3 systems, smart cables, and multi-mission underwater vehicles, while using competitive calls to close technology gaps through cooperation between government, the Navy, industry, and universities.
He added that Italy aims to build a Center of Excellence that could involve observers from friendly countries, further opening doors for cooperation.
Industry plays a defining role in this space, and Fincantieri stands out. It’s Area Manager, Aurora Buzzo explained how the company works with the Italian Navy and an industrial supply chain to secure ports, naval bases, pipelines, and cable routes.
She highlighted the DEEP system, which integrates an underwater management center, detection barriers, and unmanned vehicles.
Equally important, she emphasized Fincantieri’s commitment to financing options, technology transfer, and training. Their “train the trainers” approach aligns with the Philippines’ drive for a more self-reliant defense posture.
Retired Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong added an important dimension by asking how we define the issue itself.
If framed narrowly as military, the discussion turns to seabed warfare.
But if treated as critical infrastructure protection, the conversation expands to include industry, research institutions, and civil agencies.
He outlined a cable security plan anchored on acoustic detection systems, hardened landing points, integrated Navy and Coast Guard patrols, ASEAN-based cooperation, and innovations in satellite networks and seabed monitoring systems.
His reminder was clear: the seabed must not become a lawless space.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad placed the discussions within the bigger landscape of defense diplomacy.
The Philippines, as a US treaty ally and active ASEAN member, offers Italy a strategic entry point into Southeast Asia.
He noted that defense diplomacy has expanded, with more visiting forces agreements underway, possibly including Italy.
Areas for cooperation range from high-level talks to expert exchanges and capability development in undersea warfare.
The broader implications were also addressed. Professor Fabrizio Bozzato reminded the audience that undersea cable networks are “strategic assets” that no state can secure alone. Cooperation on interoperability, joint training, and incident response is essential.
Matteo Piasentini added the Euro-Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific are becoming a more connected system, which pushes Italy and the Philippines toward a “comprehensive holistic partnership” that strengthens both security and economic resilience.
The message from the forum was steady and grounded. By working more closely with Italy, the Philippines gains a partner with experience, technology, and a shared commitment to keeping critical underwater infrastructure secure.
In turn, Italy gains a trusted partner in a region where maritime stability shapes global interests. Together, both countries can help ensure that the underwater domain remains open, resilient, and guided by rules rather than pressure or coercion.
