DEFENSE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The preceding discussion on the strategic security environment indicates that the Defense Department will be preoccupied with internal defense in the foreseeable future as the immediate concern is still the insurgency problem. Externally, there is no danger of a major attack or invasion on the Philippines in the hear term. However, there are potential flashpoints in the vicinity that could cause regional instability and adversely affect our national security, particularly the various territorial and maritime disputes which, it not managed well, could abruptly change the strategic scenario and endanger our nation's security and economic interests.
Changing realities in the security environment are certain to cause transformations, as they already have, to the hole and functions of the defense establishment and the nation's armed forces. Today, the defense establishment faces many and diverse challenges and opportunities that must be effectively addressed if the country is to be peaceful and secure. In addition to internal security operations, the future sees the Defense Department to be more and more involved in a variety of peacetime and crisis missions while, at the same time, building and maintaining a state of readiness that can deal with external military threats. The Armed Forces, to be relevant, must remain as a developmental or "nation building" force that can contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and promote the welfare of the people.
This chapter lists the many challenges lacing the Department of National Defense and the opportunities that accompany them. Challenges are those that call for action or response from the Defense Department. On the other hand, opportunities are developments and trends that facilitate certain decisions and actions favoring the advancement or progress of the defense establishment.
Today' s decisions will define the future. The Department of National Defense must have the manpower, the resources and the will to face many challenges. It must rise up to the opportunities to improve itself as an organization and to enhance the security and common defense of the nation. It is the duty of the Department to decipher and com pretend the nature of these challenges and opportunities and to devise appropriate strategies, plans and programs and develop sound doctrine to effectively implement them.
The Department of National Defense believes that within every challenge lies opportunities and that every opportunity presents unique challenges. It recognizes the fact that some of these factors are both challenges and opportunities and therefore require the development of policies that simultaneously address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. Our national defense policy envisions to address them in the light of our present capabilities and resources.
CHALLENGES
DND must be concerned with the following challenges for the effective defense of the country.
* The insurgency problem involving two major groups: the communist movement and the Mindanao secessionist groups. The focus of defense is the insurgency because of its immediate effects on national stability and economic progress. Related to the insurgency problem is the threat posed by local extremist / terrorism groups like the Abu Sayaff Group which threaten local peace and order.
* Violations of our national territory. Even if we do not expect a major attack, we cannot discount external security threats like illegal intrusions into our territory. Violations of national territory, like the unilateral assertion of military power over territorial disputes, can also be destabilizing to the region.
* Transnational crime to include international terrorism, trafficking in drugs and weapons, human smuggling, illegal migration, money laundering, and various attendant crimes like smuggling of commodities, gun running, prostitution, counterfeiting and fraud. Transnational crime has become a leading national security concern because of the tremendous political, economic and social repercussions brought about by criminality and because organized crime has the tendency to take advantage of developing countries.
* The South China Sea, an important sea lane of communication in East Asia for commerce and trade, a source of livelihood for Filipino fishermen and a possible source of future energy resources (oil and gas). The Philippines claims the Kalayaan Island Group and is one of six claimants to the South China Sea dispute.
* The safely and security of our Overseas Filipino Worker and Filipino citizens residing abroad. The Armed Force has transport assets to evacuate Filipinos out of crisis or war-torn areas.
* Nation-building or involvement in national development activities. DND has always been involved in the implementation of the government's socio-economic programs and it consistently provides support to other government agencies and NGO, involved in development work.
* Non-traditional missions like disaster relief and rehabilitation activities, the protection and preservation of the environment, community assistance, fire-fighting. bomb disposal, supper to law enforcement, search and rescue, infrastructure building and peacekeeping operations. The future sees the Defense Department becoming more involved in these types of activities as the insurgency recedes and external threat remains remote.
* Constraints in resources necessary for operations and the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces. In a period of dwindling resources and as missions expand and become more complex, efficiency and effectiveness must be the primary objective of defense management.
OPPORTUNITIES
At the same time, DND should recognize and take advantage of the following opportunities for the purpose at enhancing national defense and building a credible Armed Forces:
* Peace negotiations with insurgent groups which offer hope for the peaceful resolution of the insurgency problem.
* Economic development of the country into a newly industrialized economy which could make resources available for national defense and force modernization.
* Economic interdependence and expanding free trade through both bilateral and multilateral mechanisms like APEC, AFTA, and WTO. The benefits of economic cooperation could expand to cooperation in security and defense matters.
* The solidarity of ASEAN in dealing with common concerns and in promoting regional security and national resilience. Enhanced defense relations among ASEAN countries can serve to reinforce ASEAN harmony and team spirit.
* Increasing political democratization and economic liberalization of China which provide opportunities for not only enhanced political and economic relations but also defense and military cooperation.
* The trend towards discussion and dialogue in security matters, bilaterally or multilaterally, official (track-1) through the ARF or unofficial (track-2) as in the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. DND should establish strategic linkages with both government and non-governmental institutions involved in defense policy-making and research by participating in both track-1 and track-2 activities.
* Highly qualified and technically competent personnel in the community who can be employed or tapped for defense programs and activities, especially in the management of force modernization projects.
* Continued advancement in information technology which can be used to enhance management efficiency and operational effectiveness. The technology is commercially available and affordable.
* The market for modern military technology wherein buyers have diverse choices and in same cases, the negotiating leverage. The AFP modernization program, with proper management and direction can benefit from market forces in defense procurement and achieve "value for money" in the purchase of modern weapons and equipment.
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