CHAPTER VI

Other National Security Concerns

Lesson 1. Overview of the National Security Situation
Situations such as terrorism, transnational crimes, crises and disasters, pandemic
and diseases pose threats to national security.
a. Terrorism
According to dictionary.reference.com(2012), terrorism refers to the use of
violence used to intimidate or coerce especially for political purposes.
In countries where political stability is a problem, terrorism is a threat to
national security. People with different kind of ideals and beliefs cannot
agree upon conditions set and therefore results to violence which, may in
turn deprive people of their right to live peacefully.
Several situations can be cited to explain terrorism. As cited in “The Top
Ten Worst Terrorist Attacks in the World”, three from the top ten were
enumerated as an example here.
1. Sept. 11, 2001- crashing of hijacked planes into World Trade Center,
New York City, New York, Pentagon in Alexandria, Virginia, and site in
Pennsylvania - 2,993 dead 8,900 injured Credited to Osama Bin Ladin
2. April 19, 1995 - truck bombing of federal building, Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma - 169 dead 675 injured Credited to Timothy Mcveigh, he was
executed on July 11, 2001 for his actions.
3. Nov 26, 2008 Mumbia, India, 60 hours of terror on several targets in
Mumbia Totaled 166 deaths and at least 300 injured. Pakistanians are belived
to terrorize the city after hijacking a fishing boat and entering the city the
night of Nov 26 2008

b. Transnational Crimes
According to Wikipedia.com, transnational crimes are crimes that
have actual or potential effect across national borders crimes which are
intra-State but which offend fundamental values of the international
community.

Examples of crimes are human trafficking which may consist of but

not limited to kidnapping, prostitution and slavery, organ harvesting,
cyber crimes, drugs, syndicates.

Peace and harmony as an element of national security is at risk in

the proliferation of these crimes.

c. Crises and Disaster

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fire and the like also
are threats to people. It affects the ecological balance of the country.
Recent incidents such as the Japan’s earthquake which resulted in a
tsunami and a nuclear crisis last March 11, 2011 made the people realize how
powerful nature is and how important is to be prepared.

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 d. Pandemic and Diseases
AH1N1, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), bird flu, swine
flu, HIV and AIDS, cholera are just a few of the examples of issues concerning
health.
People were alarmed of the spread of these diseases and feared for
their safety.

Lesson 2. Definition of National Security

The expression, “national security” comprises the terms “nation” and “security”.

A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language,

culture, ethnicity, descent and/or history which means it has no physical border
sharing a common territory and government while security is the degree of protection
against danger, damage, loss and crime. Security, as a form of protection are structures
and processes that provide or improve security as a condition.

Taken from the two definitions, national security therefore is a state or condition
where our most cherished values and beliefs, our democratic way of life, our
institutions of governance and our unity, welfare and well-being as a nation and people
are permanently protected and continuously enhanced.

Lesson 3. Elements of National Security

According to Paleri (2008), the points of human equality and other concerns are
common for nation-states or international organizations that support democracy and
are therefore, guidelines for identifying the elements of national security.

a. Justice
b. Domestic tranquility
c. Common defense
d. General welfare
e. Liberty

The following were extracted from the National Security Policy 2011- 2016.
There are seven elements of our national security that amplify the national
interests. All of these elements consider the psycho-social aspects of national security
such as people’s perceptions or beliefs, social norms, and character that affect the
appreciation of government’s policies and programs. These are:

Socio-Political Stability
It is to achieve peace and harmony among all Filipinos, regardless of creed,
ethnic origin, and social status. The government and the people must engage in nation-
building under the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the full respect for human
rights. At the same time, the government is accountable to the people and as such, must
ensure socio-political stability through good governance by focusing on its purpose and
outcomes for its citizenry and performing efficiently and effectively in clearly defined
roles and functions.

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Territorial Integrity
This means that the territory of the country is intact and under the effective
control of the government. It is to ensure the permanent inviolability of our national
territory and its effective control by the Government and the State. This includes the
preservation of our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its protection from illegal
incursions and resource exploitation.
It is this geographic fact that the national interest is enhanced whereby, the land
territories as well as bodies of water within our Philippine maritime jurisdiction are
effectively secured.

Economic Solidarity
It is to collectively pursue and build the economy to be strong, capable of
supporting national endeavors, and derives its strength from the solidarity of our
people who have an organic stake in it through participation and ownership.
This is the core interest of the national vision to ensure that Filipinos become
stakeholders in economic and business enterprises so that they will collectively defend,
protect, and improve the economic system for themselves and the future generations of
Filipinos.

Ecological Balance
The national survival rests upon the effective conservation of our natural
environment in the face of industrial and agricultural expansion and population
growth. This dimension of national security seeks to support development that is
environmentally sustainable for the benefit of the nation and the people who depend on
it.
As the country sustains its economic growth, there is a clear indication that the
ecological balance is being threatened by natural calamities and other man-made
destructive activities. The environment, with its life support systems, is in a position to
sustain and secure development for the benefit both of the present and future Filipino
generations. Ecological balance is a shared responsibility of all Filipinos, as individuals,
families, and communities.

Cultural Cohesiveness
This element implies that the Filipinos have shown their collective sense of value
to the principles of freedom and human dignity of a person. These inherent
manifestations of the Filipino values have been shown when our forebears had fought
for our freedom against their colonizers, authoritarian rulers and oppressive powers as
exemplified by the resistance of Lapu-Lapu, Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio and Jose Abad Santos. The most recent manifestations of this value were the
martyrdom of Senator Benigno Aquino and the courageous heroism demonstrated by
his wife, Corazon Aquino in the struggle to restore democracy.
This also means that our people is imbued by a common set of values and beliefs
handed down by their forebears on moral and ethical standards, drawn from our
traditions and cultural heritage, embodying a Filipino identity transcending socio-
economic, religious, ethnic, and linguistic differences.

Moral-Spiritual Consensus
The Filipino people must be propelled by the national vision inspired and
manifested in words and deeds, by patriotism, national pride and the advancement of
our national goals and interests.
The primordial element for our national survival is national unity, where the
people have become proud of their country, their culture and tradition, and their
history. Consequently, there is moral and spiritual consensus among the Filipinos on

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the wisdom and righteousness of our shared national vision, as enunciated by the
President. This shared vision inspires and motivates the citizens to get involved and
participate vigorously in the programs that promote the country’s security and
development goals and objectives.

Peace and Harmony

The Philippines as a democratic country is committed to world peace and the
preservation of world order. National security is engendered and sustained through
harmonious relations with our neighbors and allies. For this purpose, it is for the
enduring interest of the country to forge harmonious engagement and relationship with
other nations starting with the member-countries of the ASEAN.
The country and people must pursue constructive and cordial relations with all nations
and peoples, and are free from any control, interference or threat of aggression from
any of them.

Lesson 4. Other Concerns – Peace and Security

Peace and Security is incorporated in the Philippine Development Plan 2011 to
2016 as part of the agenda to ensure proper governance and internal stability of the
country.

As stated in the Philippine Development Plan 2011 – 2016,

“Peace and security shall be achieved in support to national development. The
government shall exert all efforts to win peace and ensure national security. The peace
process shall center on the pursuit of negotiated political settlement of all armed
conflicts and the implementation of complementary development tracks to address its
causes. This shall be anchored on conflict prevention and peace-building in conflict-
affected areas. On the other hand, national security shall involve the whole-of-nation
approach, focusing on internal stability, upholding the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the state, capability and preparedness against natural calamities and
disasters, and reform and modernization of the security sector.”

The absence of peace means the absence of security and vice versa. It can be
interchangeable. As discussed previously, security is a sense of protection against
danger, damage, loss and crime.

The challenge lies on the government’s relationship to resolve conflicts either

external or internal for the promotion of good governance and national stability. For
the promotion of peace and security, human rights should be protected. In dealing with
activists, full tolerance should be implemented and peace talks should not cease.
Filipinos have diverse culture and orientation and therefore respect of these
beliefs and traditions will lead to harmonious relationship within one community.
In a society where everyone is secure from threats in any form, there is the
assurance that people in this community can live productively and be better citizen of
the country.

Lesson 5. Promotion of National Security

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 The youth plays a major role in the promotion of national security. They must be
guided early to promote the love of country which will eventually be reflected in their
actions.
Here are some suggestions or recommendations for this.
1. Strengthen the values of patriotism and nationalism in the youth to promote love
of country.
2. Engage the youth to different activities concerning environmental protection and
greening program.
3. Prepare students for disaster preparedness in times of calamities
4. Instil the value of volunteerism and initiative in any aspect.
5. Enlist in one’s barangay as NSRC.
6. As good citizens, we should report and denounce armed activities.