DEFENSE OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH
NATIONAL DEFENSE OBJECTIVES
The national defense objectives are derived from our fundamental national security interests as well as our national values and goals as embodied in the Philippine Constitution, the laws of the land, international obligations and related national policies and development programs. Other important factors considered in the formulation of the national defense objectives and the approach to national defense include the changing global, regional and national security environment and advancements in military and information technology. The related concepts of "comprehensive security" and "national self-reliance" also form part of the national defense framework.
Comprehensive security proposes that national security has many dimensions, encompassing not only defense and military concerns but also the political, social and economic facets of our society. National security is therefore the sum of these various elements and the nation can only feet "secure" if it experiences favorable conditions in all dimensions of national life. It is in this context that the national government defines national security in terms of three elements: political stability, economic development and social cohesion. Thus, preservation of national security requires an approach that is multi-dimensional covering the three elements.
On the other hand, national self-reliance suggests that national security can be achieved not necessarily through military alliances or by being under the military umbrella of a great power but through national self-reliance that arises out of favorable conditions in the multi-dimensional elements of national life. Among others, it proposes that the country must have a credible defense force and it must build a domestic defense industry. National self-reliance also implies that as we promote internal peace, stability and prosperity, we should contribute to the promotion of regional security. Towards this end, the Philippines has always subscribed to and remains committed to building its national strength which will contribute to regional strength, especially among ASEAN.
Based on the analysis Of all relevant factors, our national defense objectives are as follows:
1. Secure and uphold the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines.
2. Protect and defend our national territory against external aggression and our communities against internal armed threats.
3. Safeguard Filipino lives and property during times of crisis and calamities, here and broad.
4. Support the national government's efforts toward the attainment of political stability, economic development and social cohesion.
5. Contribute to political and diplomatic initiatives promoting international and regional security and stability.
6. Develop a balanced, credible and modernized defense force composed of active and reserve components, with the capabilities necessary to meet diverse defense commitments.
7. Promote service professionalism founded on a patriotic spirit, nationalist consciousness, respect for people's rights, non-partisanship in politics and the professional military ethic.
APPROACH TO NATIONAL DEFENSE
How the Philippines intends to achieve the national defense objectives and meet the various defense challenges and opportunities is embodied in the approach to national defense. This approach parallels the approach to national security and economic development, that is, while we seek cooperation with others, we realize that we alone can be responsible for ourselves. This approach to defense is best described and summed up in "Defense Self-Reliance and Cooperation."
Defense Self-Reliance and Cooperation is a practical and sensible approach that carefully balances the constraints of our defense capability with our defense commitments and national development objectives. It also maximizes our national strength, the sum total at all the qualities and attributes of our nation -the geography, natural resources and above all, the Filipino people and the institutions that govern them. As earlier explained, national security transcends the traditional military dimension and encompasses all facets of our national life. This plan of action addresses the comprehensive nature of security. It likewise calls for the efficient and effective mobilization of defense resources. It shows our resolve to seek security together with our neighboring countries and not against them, together to build not mutual deterrence but mutual support and confidence.
The approach to national defense has two parts which, at first glance, may seem contradictory but actually they are not. Closer analysis would in fact reveal that they complement one another. The two components are Defense Self-Reliance and Defense Cooperation.
Defense Self-Reliance means that the responsibility for the country's defense, the preservation of national security -the freedom and the welfare of our people- is our sole responsibility. It means that our defense is not predicated on the assurance of support from another country and that we can defend ourselves using our limited resources, without immediately depending on the support of other countries. This is not only a question of national survival. It is also a question of national sovereignty and national self-respect. Dependence on other countries for defense may allow these countries to impose solutions upon us that may undermine our national interests and the welfare of our people.
Defense Cooperation, on the other hand, complements defense self-reliance in the sense that self-reliance is not in isolation, that outside assistance need not be sought. On the contrary, assistance can be implored when the situation demands, particularly when our defense capabilities prove insufficient, or when assistance can serve to enhance national defense. Such assistance, however, must be in conformity with our national policies and should not, in any way, dilute the exclusive responsibility for our own defense. Assistance from other armed forces or countries is to be regarded as an augmentation to defense and not its substitution. Defense cooperation also implies that we must act as a responsible member of the global community. We must honor our international obligations and take an active role, as resources would allow, in the promotion of peace and stability in the region and throughout the world.
Defense Self-Reliance And Cooperation has seven major characteristics or elements that, taken together, provide a comprehensive plan of action for the nation's common defense. These elements are:
1. Self-defense
2. Flexible unilateral response
3. Citizen-based defense
4. Involvement in national development
5. Cooperative defense relationships
6. Promotion of regional and global security
7. Continuing force modernization and professionalization
Self-Defense
Our national defense policy is oriented towards deterrence and self-defense against the threat or use of armed forces. The Philippines believes let all states have the right to a secure existence and that states have the obligation to protect that right. The Philippines harbors no aggressive intention towards any country and seeks peaceful and harmonious relations with all nations. As embodied in our Constitution, the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy. Our military posture is designed only to deter aggression and to repel such aggression if it occurs. Military capability is maintained only at a level necessary for self-defense against adversaries that threaten our national security interests and endanger our national territory.
Flexible Unilateral Response
This means the operational adaptiveness or flexibility to deal with a range of security contingencies and threats utilizing available defense resources without immediately relying on outside sources of support or assistance. The Armed Forces must be capable of unilateral effort in defending the state against a variety of internal and external military threat situations -from low-level hostile actions to a major attack- without expecting instantaneous support or replenishment from allied countries. It must also possess the requisite self-reliant capability (a keep pace with national security requirements and to assist the national government in addressing security challenges other than traditional military concerns like natural calamities and disasters, transnational crimes and ecological Protection and preservation.
Citizen-Based Defense
Together with geography, our vast manpower resource serves as a strategic defense advantage. The responsibility for defending the country cannot rest an the regular force alone. The citizenry has to take an active role in the defense of the state as warfare challenges virtually every institution of society. Given limited military resources, we must make a prospective aggressor understand that he has to pay a high price for he must deal with the entire Filipino population, not just the Armed Forces. Citizen-based defense balances the high cost of maintaining a regular armed forces and the need of the national economy and private sector for competent manpower. It also ensures that them is broad popular support for military actions during crisis or war.
Involvement in National Development
Defense involvement in "nation-building" or national development activities during times of peace is contributory to political stability, economic development and social cohesion. The Participation of the armed forces in national development covers a wide and varied spectrum of activities that are important to community well-being. Examples include the monitoring of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, protection of maritime and forest resources, disaster rescue and relief, post disaster rehabilitation, infrastructure development, civic action and community building. However, the involvement of DND in these types of non-military operations should not be allowed to divert the focus of the armed forces from its primary mission of the defense of the people and the state or to diminish its force readiness.
Cooperative Defense Relationships
Defense self-reliance does not mean that we are self-sufficient in defense. No nation in the world can be considered as self-sufficient in defense. Self-reliant, unilateral defense efforts may be able to address short-term contingencies but the long-term may require the support of at us and other countries. The Philippines looks to our friends, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, to provide support when it becomes necessary in times of prolonged crisis and/or when the present capability of our defense force proves insufficient to address the situation. An important part of our defense effort is to ensure that cooperative defense relationships with of her countries, whether in a bilateral or multilateral framework, are established and enhanced. Cooperative defense relationships increase the political cost of aggression and help to deter it from happening.
Promotion of Regional and Global Security
The Philippines is a peaceful and responsible member of the community of nations and it has the inherent obligation and responsibility to make tangible contributions to regional and global security efforts. Safeguarding the well-being of Filipinos and ensuring sustainable development are not just domestic concerns as the national situation is tied up to regional and global events. National security and defense are greatly enhanced by a stable external environment. In conjunction with other elements of national power, defense forces play a very important role in building regional confidence and advocating preventive diplomacy. The defense establishment must be able to support political and diplomatic initiatives with regard to participation in confidence-building measures, security dialogues, peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations and other security-related and humanitarian missions abroad.
Continuing Force Modernization and Professionalization
In a highly dynamic and fluid security environment, the Philippines has to be always prepared to protect and defend its national security interests. The defense establishment is committed to the maintenance of a credible defense force not only to defend our national interests but also to support the attainment of our national objectives. This commitment requires a serious dedication to the continuing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We must seek to continuously upgrade our force capabilities, not only in weapons and equipment but also in the equally important aspect of the professionalism of all troops and units.
The shift of focus to external defense marks a now undertaking that puts premium on a modernization program for the Armed Forces. Modernization becomes even more vital as modern technology has transformed and continues to transform the operational environment of the Armed Forces. The AFP must be able to integrate modern information and military technology to enhance its capabilities and force readiness. Continuing force modernization is not intended to contribute to the perception of a regional "arms race". It is merely in response to the imperative of replacing obsolete equipment and to build sufficient capability to effectively respond to existing and emerging security challenges.
Force modernization must be accompanied by toe continuing professionalization of all personnel -officers, soldiers, sailors, airmen and civilians- both in the regular and reserve forces. This involves a continuing effort towards the following objectives: the creation of a strategic mindset in the it and military leadership; the
enhancement of professional literacy and technical competence through sound education and training; the institutionalization of fair and effective promotion and assignment systems; the development of doctrine; and the promotion of the military professional values of physical and moral courage, honor, devotion to duty and love of country.
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