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Friday, March 29, 2024

Security expert: Multilateralism best for maritime security

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The Philippines should turn to multilateralism as it works towards a robust defense posture and secure civil maritime sector, given the volatility in our maritime domain and our lack of an anchoring policy on our defense cooperation with like-minded states.

“We have acknowledged that China’s intentions in the South China Sea are not benign,” said Chester Cabalza in his paper, Philippine Civil and Maritime Security: Transforming from Archipelagic to Maritime Power, launched recently by leading think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

Multilateralism is more welcome than exclusive bilateralism because the Philippines’ porous borders and strategic geographical formation are relatively primordial in improving its maritime security, Cabalza said.

“History has also shown us that with a partner like China, a direct state-to-state dealing may be a misguided approach.”

“The Philippines’ diplomatic and economic rapprochements with Beijing through bilateralism certainly missed out on the golden opportunity to spread a unified narrative to the international community and against its maritime rival in the South China Sea despite the strong support for its arbitral ruling awarded at The Hague,” said Cabalza.

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“The soft pedal and meek policy in the West Philippine Sea saw the continuous incursions and expansions of China’s coast guard and maritime militia.”

The next Philippine leader, then, should address these gaps and missed opportunities to achieve a robust defense posture, Cabalza added.

Cabalza also believes that military reform, specifically in instilling transparency and accountability, is crucial to pursuing stable security structures.

“The AFP should improve its human, organizational, and information capital. It shall build a culture of jointness and establish integrated secure communications and information system to institutionalize integrated joint logistics support systems and develop a professional and highly motivated regular and reserve force,” Cabalza said.

“Highly competent and motivated professionals should spearhead the crafting of sound and appropriate maritime doctrines leading to the responsive naval reserve forces; and the same professionals who should be building the corps of the same force,” he added.

“In support of national interests, the Navy and Coast Guard maintain sovereignty patrols on the country’s maritime domains, ensuring a surface force to meet the current missions and long-term obligations, including the safeguard of sea control and denial, projecting power, maintaining maritime security, and also performing functions to support mission other than war,” Cabalza said.

Cabalza’s findings and recommendations were echoed in the discussions during a virtual forum/book launch, organized by Stratbase ADR Institute in partnership with Bower Group Asia held April 5.

“The Future of US Commitment: The Outlook Under Biden and Beyond” saw various international defense and security policy experts exchanging views on the role of the US in Southeast Asian geopolitics.

Professor Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit emphasized the need for the Philippines to craft a more responsive and strategic foreign policy as part of an interconnected international society.

“Due to the growing military power of China, the Philippines should utilize its expansive network in securing the freedom of the seas and to counter aggressive behavior from China’s maritime militia,” he said.

Professor Manhit added that the elections will give Filipinos the opportunity to elect leaders who will advance the country’s strategic interests and actively pursue multilateral and inclusive cooperation with like-minded states.

Ernest Bower IV, president and CEO of BGA, talked about how the United States could show its commitment to the ASEAN region even as it had announced its Indo Pacific Strategy and Indo Pacific Economic Framework.

Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran, Deputy Head of Research, BGA and Fellow, The Wilson Center – Asia Program, whose book Elusive Balances: Shaping U.S.-Southeast Asia Strategy was launched during the event, said the Biden administration is trying to find its own feet with respect to working with allies, partners and like-minded countries.

“The United States can’t compete symmetrically economically with China, but that asymmetric competition, I think, is where the competition really lies,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jim Carouso, Senior Adviser for BGA and Australia Chair for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said pressure from China is an area where the US and the Philippines should cooperate so they could understand the nature of the threat.

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