On April 17, 2012, the commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command, Lieutenant General Anthony Alcantara, announced that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is replacing its lone patrol craft the BRP EDSA II with the BRP Pampanga during an intense stand-off with two China Maritime Surveillance (CSMU) ships off Scarborough Shoal. This dangerous maritime incident between China and the Philippines began on April 10 when the Philippine Navy (PN) dispatched its flagship, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, to Scarborough Shoal to apprehend eight Chinese fishing boats allegedly illegally fishing in this land feature, which is claimed by both the Philippines and China. Read More

Every year for the past eight decades, we have commemorated April 9 as Bataan Day of Valor or Araw ng Kagitingan. But more than the bloodshed and the horrors brought about by World War II, the recognition of heroism in times of war should also enlighten us on the need to promote a rules-based international and regional security order. Only the basic principles of coexistence and political détente, after all, can assure us of security. The West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, for instance, showcases the overriding issue of maritime security that is persistently being challenged and upset by China’s continuous expansionist agenda. Amid the pandemic, the littoral states in the WPS have found themselves in an even more precarious situation. Read More

Emerging security challenges, including the Ukraine-Russia crisis, the continued testing of ballistic missiles by North Korea, and China’s recent aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, have heightened global economic and security risks. Major security players, including the United States and the European Union, have started to reassess their foreign policies to manage potential risks and safeguard their strategic interests. Likewise, initial trade and security engagements have been forged with Japan, Australia, and India. Read More

Reducing inequality and achieving inclusive growth are inseparable. When we narrow inequality, we reinforce the capacity of sectors and individuals to overcome structural factors that limit their mobility in society. When we promote growth that is beneficial to all classes and encourage people’s productive participation in the economy, we not only neutralize equality barriers. We also make people capable of being upwardly mobile. Read More

The Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute, in partnership with BowerGroupAsia (BGA), has invited Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran, Deputy Head of Research for BGA, to discuss his book titled, “Elusive Balances: Shaping U.S.-Southeast Asia Strategy” where he gives his analysis on U.S. policy structural issues towards Southeast Asia relating its historical policy and engagement development to the region and U.S.’ often conflicting role to its domestic, regional and global audience.    Read More

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the country’s crippling socio-economic inequality. While for many Filipinos, such inequality is an accepted reality in life, the pandemic brought the issue front and center of national conversations. Long-lasting government lockdowns caused high levels of unemployment, worrying inflation rates, and an economic recession. Amid this situation, only a small sector of society was prepared to deal with unexpected shocks.   Read More

It has been exactly two years since the first COVID-19 lockdowns were enforced. Since then, the issue of human security has become more pronounced. The lives of millions of Filipinos have been disrupted, socially and economically. Curiously, the current administration has milked the crisis and used—rather, misused—human security to undermine democratic institutions and processes. But what exactly is human security? Read More