NSTP Final
NSTP Final
INTERNAL THREATS
Abu Sayyaf Group
1. TERRORISM and VIOLENCE
○ The ASG has committed kidnappings-for-ransom, bombings, ambushes
of security personnel, public beheadings, assassinations, and extortion.
Throughout 2015, the ASG was responsible for multiple attacks,
kidnappings, and the killing of hostages.
○ They successfully executed the Philippines’ most deadly terrorist attack
on record sinking Superferry 14 in 2004 and killing hundreds, and
coordinated a series of bombings across multiple cities on Valentine’s
Day 2005. (Hammerberg et al., 2017)
○ One of their most recent crimes is the Battle of Marawi or the Marawi
Siege. (Refworld - UNHCR’s Global Law and Policy Database, 2024)
STRAINED INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
○ The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has strained the Philippines’ international
relations by increasing reliance on foreign military aid, complicating
diplomatic ties, and damaging its international reputation. ASG’s
violent activities, including kidnappings and terror attacks, have
required extensive security cooperation with the U.S., Australia, and
neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. (Manalo, 2004)
SOCIOECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
○ The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has discouraged investment and travel,
restricting employment prospects and stunting development. To fight
ASG, the government is spending more on security, which takes funds
away from infrastructure upgrades and other vital public services.
Thousands have been uprooted by violence and military operations,
which have also disrupted stable employment, healthcare, and
education, notably in the fishing and agricultural industries. (Manalo,
2004)
○ ASG takes advantage of social injustice and hardship to attract new
members, resulting in an endless cycle of violence, insecurity, and
poverty that interferes with long-term advancement. (Manalo, 2004)
2. To address the threats brought upon by the ASG, we can implement CRES,
otherwise known as Community Resilience and Empowerment Schools. This
initiative seeks to decrease recruitment into extremist groups by providing
educational opportunities and a nurturing environment. CRES will offer a
curriculum that promotes understanding and resistance to radicalization by
incorporating life skills training, civic involvement, and peace education.
2. The South China Sea Awareness and Educational Program or SCSAEP aims to
address territorial disputes in the South China Sea through education and
community engagement. This program will enhance students' understanding
of these complex issues as it includes workshops in schools focusing on
maritime disputes, the history of the conflicts, and international law,
particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
(Kenny, 2024; Erbas, 2022). Additionally, SCSAEP will feature simulation
activities where students role-play as representatives from different countries
involved in the disputes, fostering critical thinking and negotiation skills.
Community engagement projects will encourage students to create
informational materials and organize forums to discuss the implications of
territorial claims, especially for local fishing communities. To implement this
program effectively, partnerships with schools, local governments, NGOs, and
maritime experts will be essential. Furthermore, SCSAEP will feature simulation
activities where students role-play as representatives from different countries
involved in the disputes. This hands-on approach will help them practice
negotiation and problem-solving skills while exploring real-world issues. Such
simulations encourage students to consider multiple perspectives on maritime
disputes, similar to classroom activities successfully implemented in various
educational settings (Erbas, 2022).
2. To address this, CAEP will be proposed or the Climate Action and Educational
Program. It aims to integrate climate education into schools while fostering
community engagement and action. It will implement educational workshops
in schools that focus on climate change, its impacts, and sustainable
practices. These workshops will utilize project-based learning to teach
students about environmental issues and encourage them to develop
solutions. It will also establish climate clubs where students can engage in
hands-on activities such as tree planting, waste management projects, and
local environmental clean-ups. This aligns with initiatives like the Youth for
Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) in the Philippines, which
encourages students to take active roles in promoting environmental
awareness and sustainability within their communities (Kolenatý et al., 2022;
CCE in the Philippines | Department of Education, n.d.)
1. The three pillars of national security in the Philippines are all crucial, but in my
opinion, the second one is the most important, which concerns maintaining
the State's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Expected Outcome
The initiative will improve local security by fostering informed, watchful
individuals who proactively defend and preserve the country's sovereignty.
The initiative increases local resilience and fosters a culture of security by
giving youth leadership roles and raising community knowledge, making
communities more equipped to handle internal and external threats.
Activity 3: Critical Thinking on Values and National Security
● Instructions: The National Security Plan of 2023-2028 of the Philippines listed
values essential for promoting national security (e.g., patriotism, and respect
for human rights).
1. Choose two values. Discuss how each value can support efforts to address
a current national security issue.
2. Imagine you are organizing a community event to promote these values.
Outline the event’s theme, activities, and expected outcomes.
1. Social Justice
It is essential to tackle the underlying causes of violence and instability,
which are frequently connected to prejudice, poverty, and inequality. The
government can reduce frustrations that could cause societal instability by
supporting laws that guarantee fair access to resources including jobs,
healthcare, and education (NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY FOR CHANGE AND
WELL-BEING OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, 2017). Encouraging social justice also
increases public trust in the government since it shows that attempts are
being made to govern fairly and justly. This value addresses the underlying
causes of security risks rooted in inequality, like local criminality or insurgency,
through social welfare and inclusive development initiatives. Not to mention,
a dedication to social justice can strengthen a community's ability to
withstand dangers like crime and violence. People are more inclined to
participate in community safety projects when they believe their rights are
upheld and their opinions are valued (U.S. Department of Justice et al., 1994).
Innovation
The development of cutting-edge technology that supports national
security initiatives depends heavily on innovation. It is essential in the digital
age to use technology for cybersecurity, surveillance, and intelligence
collection. Thus, creating cutting-edge cybersecurity safeguards, resource
management tools, and surveillance systems can aid in the monitoring and
defense of Philippine territory, particularly in disputed regions like the West
Philippine Sea. Additionally, innovation improves disaster response and
defense capabilities, allowing the nation to react quickly to both natural and
man-made threats (Philippines. National Economic and Development
Authority, n.d.). Additionally, innovation promotes cooperation between both
the private and public sectors as well as community groups to tackle
complicated security concerns. Diverse stakeholders can come together
through coding competitions or innovation challenges to come up with
innovative solutions for urgent national security issues. These cooperative
initiatives empower communities to actively participate in their safety and
security while also promoting an innovative culture (Science, Technology and
Innovation | Philippines | U.S. Agency for International Development, n.d.).
Activities
a.) Keynote Address
The event will begin with a keynote address from a well-known figure in
the fields of technology or social justice, who will explain the significance of
incorporating innovation into social justice initiatives.
https://www.cna.org/archive/CNA_Files/pdf/dim-2017-u-016122-2rev.pdf
Espenschied, M., & Espenschied, M. (2022, December 31). Security and post-conflict
https://oxfordpoliticalreview.com/2020/08/07/security-and-post-conflict-reco
nstruction-in-bangsamoro-achieving-sustainable-change-through-community
-based-policing/
NTF-ELCAC: Removal of “mass bases” greatly weakened NPA. (n.d.). Philippine News
Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221750
https://www.army.mil.ph/home/images/bayanihan.pdf
Ratcliffe, R. (2024, July 12). Confrontations in South China Sea surge, raising fears a
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/12/south-china-sea-con
flict-philippines-coast-guard
Tyson, A. S. (2024, August 21). How China-Philippines tensions are bringing South
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2024/0821/south-china-sea-p
hilippines-coast-guard-collision
Rising, D. (2024, June 17). Timeline of clashes between China, Philippines in South
https://apnews.com/article/china-philippines-south-china-sea-ship-06e9fe0ef
440aba09bc650d986d83377
Li Mingjiang, Xing Jiaying (2024, June 3). The possibility of a China-Philippines conflict
https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2024/06/the-possibility-of-a-china-phili
ppines-conflict-in-the-south-china-sea?lang=en
Something old, something new: The Philippines’ transparency initiative in the South
https://fulcrum.sg/something-old-something-new-the-philippines-transparenc
y-initiative-in-the-south-china-sea/
Bader, B., Coenen, M., Hummel, J., Schoenweger, P., Voss, S., & Jung-Sievers, C.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15691-y
Kenny, M. (2024, October 11). Territorial disputes in the South China Sea | History,
Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/territorial-disputes-in-the-South-China-Sea
Erbas, Y. (2022, April 11). The conflict in the South China Sea: a focus on a possible
https://behorizon.org/the-conflict-in-the-south-china-sea-a-focus-on-a-possibl
e-solution/
Tachev, V. (2024, April 4). Environmental issues in the Philippines and new LNG
https://energytracker.asia/environmental-issues-in-the-philippines/
IBON Foundation. (2020, May 4). A glimpse at the critical state of the Philippine
environment.
https://www.ibon.org/a-glimpse-at-the-critical-state-of-the-philippine-environ
ment/
Tribe, H. (n.d.). Climate Change Impacts on Philippine Communities: An Overview of
the Current Literature and Policies. In Asia Pacific Perspectives (Vols. 15–15,
Issue 2).
Kolenatý, M., Kroufek, R., & Činčera, J. (2022). What triggers climate action: the
https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610365
https://www.deped.gov.ph/climate-change-education/cce-in-the-philippine
s/
NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY FOR CHANGE AND WELL-BEING OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.
(2017). https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/phi209145.pdf
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/sti-college/bsba-operations-manag
ement/4-philippine-national-security/36528796
The Three Pillars of Sustainable National Security in a Transnational World — SH. (n.d.).
SH.
https://www.sustainablehistory.com/the-three-pillars-of-sustainable-national-s
ecurity-in-a-transnational-world
Consortium, Gaffigan, S. J., Galvin, R., Doyle, J. R., Stedman, J., Matthews, B.,
Dote, L. T., Colwell, L., Ward, R., Rosenblatt, D., Meeks, C., Wexler, C., Williams,
H., Heisler, M., Daughtry, S., Greene, J., Kerlikowske, G., . . . Rodriguez, M. L.
[MONOGRAPH]. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles/commp.pdf
(pp. 309–312).
https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Chapter-18.pdf
https://www.usaid.gov/philippines/science-technology-and-innovation