Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, China continues to pursue its maritime expansionism in the region. It has taken its regional security agenda further by establishing administrative districts in the South China Sea, escalating confrontations with the Philippines, Japan and Malaysia, blocking Vietnamese fishing rights, and even creating tension in its shared land border with India.

We are reminded that, on June 9, 2019, 22 Filipino fishermen were left to die after a Chinese fishing vessel rammed into an anchored F/B Gem-Ver 1. This incident remains instilled in the minds of the Filipinos as the day China directly attacked our fellow countrymen. It is also evidence of the blurring line between state security and human security.

With this, Stratbase ADR Institute conducted a virtual round table discussion (vRTD) entitled, “Debunking China’s New Normal: A Year After the Reed Bank Incident”, to discuss how non-traditional security threats weave into national security interests in the time of COVID-19. It elaborated on China’s gray zone strategy to further its agenda, and analyze the implications of the blurring line between state security and human security to the Philippine interests. Tolerating these intrusive acts threatens not only Philippine territorial integrity but also, personal security of a common Filipino.

Program

Opening Remarks
PROF. DINDO MANHIT
President
Stratbase ADR Institute

Keynote Address
AMB. ALBERT DEL ROSARIO
Chairman, Stratbase ADR Institute
Former Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs

Unpacking the Gem-Ver Incident, its Implications to PH National Security Interests

The incident of the Gem-Ver ramming in the early morning of June 9, 2019 showed the clear, unfriendly acts China is capable of. It also shows the lack of response on the part of the Duterte administration by opting to appease CCP. With the uncertainty of China’s security agenda, it is important to understand the different perspectives that come into play when understanding the emergence of China’s influence in the region.

In Retrospect: Implications of the Gem-Ver Incident to the Filipinos
ATTY. CHEL DIOKNO
Dean, De La Salle College of Law

The Duterte Administration’s Independent Foreign Policy
RICHARD HEYDARIAN
Non-Resident Fellow, Stratbase ADR Institute

The Blurring Line Between Traditional and Human Security

Recent developments in the South China Sea demonstrates China’s ability to take advantage of a human security crisis to further its ambitions in the disputed waterways. With the evolving nature of security threats, it is important to understand the interplay between traditional and human security threats in the region. This will allow the Philippines to reexamine its national security agenda and institutionalize a better system to respond to the emergence of various security threats.

COVID-19: Beyond the Heath Emergency
CHESTER CABALZA, PH.D
Executive Fellow and Vice President for Research, Development Academy of the Philippines

Environmental threats and opportunities in the West Philippine Sea
DEO FLORENCE ONDA, PH.D
Associate Professor and Deputy Director for Research, UP Marine Science Institute

Repositioning the Philippines in the Chinese Economic Narrative
AMB. LAURA DEL ROSARIO
President, Miriam College;
Former Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, Department of Foreign Affairs

China’s Gray Zone: Utilizing Non-Traditional Security
RENATO DE CASTRO, PH.D
Trustee and Program Convenor, Stratbase ADR Institute

Enhancing the Philippine Maritime Defense Posture
RADM ROMMEL JUDE ONG (RET)
Vice Commander, Philippine Navy
Executive Director, Security Reform Initiative
Professor of Praxis, Ateneo School of Government

Closing Remarks
JUSTICE ANTONIO CARPIO (RET)
Former Senior Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines