Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Dindo Manhit, spoke about “Fortifying the Digital Front: Cybersecurity as the Defining Challenge of Our Time” at the Talakayang Mabini 2025 at the Tejeros Hall, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The Talakayang Mabini has served as a platform for high-level discussion on strategic issues affecting the country’s national security. 

Prof. Manhit spoke that in today’s evolving geopolitical landscape, threats no longer come solely from the traditional domain. He underscored that it is a strategic imperative to strengthen our collective cyber resilience and fortify the nation’s digital front. He highlighted that cybersecurity and cyber resilience are vital to our national security and the trust of our people. Protecting our nation in this digital age requires a comprehensive approach: one that strengthens our defenses, promotes awareness, and encourages collaboration across all sectors.  

With the theme, “Archipelagic Defense through Multi-domain Operations: Readiness, Challenges and Ways Forward”, the forum was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gen. Romeo Brawner, Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary for Strategy and Policy Jeffrey Hechenova, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5) MGEN Rommel Cordova, Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations (J7) MGEN Arvin Lagamon, Deputy Commander of the Training Command of the Philippine Army MGEN Michael Logico, Western Command Commander VADM Alfonso Torres Jr., Commander of the Air Defense Command of Philippine Air Force MGEN Fabian Pedregosa, Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM) BGEN Jessie Banastao, Members of the AFP Multi-Sector Governance Council, Representatives from AFP Joint, and other military officials.