The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed support for initiatives aimed at countering foreign interference in the information and cognitive domains, as part of broader efforts to safeguard national sovereignty.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military welcomes contributions from Philippine institutions, civil society groups, and credible international partners that promote transparency and protect the public from hostile influence operations.
Separately, the Department of National Defense (DND) said the Philippines and France are set to strengthen defense ties through a high-level meeting at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum 2026 from March 24 to 26.
DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will meet with French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin on the sidelines of the forum.
“We welcome any effort that contributes to transparency and helps protect Filipinos from hostile foreign interference,” Padilla said.
She noted that threats to sovereignty have expanded beyond territorial and maritime concerns into the information space, adding that the AFP is coordinating with other government agencies to monitor and address evolving risks.
Padilla emphasized the need for a whole-of-nation approach to defending national security.
Meanwhile, Ray Powell, director of Sealight, said his group is investigating the extent of alleged Chinese influence operations in the Philippines, clarifying that the probe does not target the Filipino-Chinese community but focuses on hostile foreign state activities.
“Our investigations don’t target them; they target the hostile foreign state that seeks to take over those institutions and exploit them,” Powell said.
In Paris, the meeting aims to enhance cross-regional cooperation, with both countries committed to upholding a rules-based international order and promoting security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
A key development in bilateral relations is the conclusion of negotiations for a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in December 2025, the Philippines’ first such agreement with a European partner.
Once in force, the pact will establish the legal framework for the presence and activities of Philippine and French forces in each other’s territories, enabling expanded joint training and military cooperation.
Teodoro is also set to deliver a keynote address on “Conflicts and Competitions,” becoming the first Southeast Asian defense minister to participate in the forum.
Organized by the École Militaire Defence Academy, the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum is a platform for dialogue among governments, militaries, researchers, and civil society on global security and geopolitical challenges.
