It is a pleasure to share the Stratbase Institute’s Defense and Security paper entitled “Making a Filipino Theory of Victory Work: Retooling Our Defense and Security Posture” authored by RADM Rommel Jude G. Ong, AFP (Ret. ), MDM. This paper, part of a series of publications under the Stratbase Institute’s program “Strengthening Maritime Security Cooperation in a Multipolar Indo-Pacific”, delves into the pressing challenges faced by the Philippines in the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly in the context of China’s multi-domain strategies and the shifting dynamics of global power.  

The research builds upon the concept of a Filipino Theory of Victory, emphasizing the synergy between the People and the State to forge a unified “National Will.” It explores strategies to counter China’s hard and sharp power challenges through denial and cost-imposition approaches, while also addressing the broader implications of international relations, defense modernization, and economic resilience.  

Key highlights of the paper include: the Dual-Track Strategy, which provides a denial strategy to prevent China from achieving its objectives and a cost-imposition strategy to deter aggression through economic and military measures; Multi-Dimensional Approaches, which discusses political, legal, diplomatic, informational, and economic tools to strengthen the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea and beyond; Recommendations for transitioning the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) into a conventional force structure capable of addressing multi-domain threats; and Collaborative Efforts, which explains the importance of sustaining alliances, engaging ASEAN, and forming new security architectures with like-minded states.