The rising uncertainties in the global environment, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, has demanded states to reorient its foreign and security policy to identify where and whom to collaborate, cooperate, compete, and confront in terms of emerging threats and opportunities for development. Within the context of maritime security, the Philippines continues to be in the mix of geopolitical shifts given the increasing influence of China and the country’s territorial rights over the West Philippine Sea. As the country moves into a new administration, a future-oriented, responsive, and strategic Philippine foreign policy must entail the configuration of the country’s national interest vis-à-vis the uncertainties about the current international order and lessons learned from the Duterte administration. The country must strengthen its inherent capability to be a maritime power given its strategic geographic characteristics and location from being a center of international trade flow and marine resource abundance.  

The Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute held a virtual townhall discussion titled, “The Future of Philippine Foreign Policy: Transforming into a Maritime Power,” on May 31, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This event invited thought leaders and experts in the field of maritime security and foreign policy to provide the current landscape of the country’s maritime security strategy taking into consideration external and internal factors and in line with its priority in existing policies and potential points of intervention in the institutional and implementation level. 

Program

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Beyond the Crisis: A Responsive and Strategic Philippine Foreign Policy  
Prof. Victor Andres Manhit 
President, Stratbase ADR Institute 

Beyond the Crisis: Philippine Civil and Maritime Security: Transforming from Archipelagic to Maritime Power  
Dr. Chester Cabalza 
President and Founder, International Development and Security Cooperation  

STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVE

RADM. Rommel Ong 
Chairperson, Security Reform Initiative Inc. 
Professor of Praxis, Ateneo School of Government  

Dr. Renato de Castro 
Trustee and Program Convenor, Stratbase ADR Institute 
Professor, De La Salle University  

Closing Remarks
Mr. Francesco “Paco” Pangalangan 
Executive Director, Stratbase ADR Institute 

Host and Moderator
Ms. Clarisse Dacanay
Program and Advocacy Manager, Stratbase ADR Institute