Philippine Navy Strategizes Future in Recent Seminar

The Philippine Navy recently concluded an Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy (AADS) Seminar Workshop at the Headquarters Philippine Navy, Roxas Boulevard, Manila last May 13 to 14, 2009. This activity strategizes the naval development that sets out the means and ways on how the Philippine Navy intends to evolve into the Navy of the future over the years.

With the theme: “Strategizing the Future Philippine Navy”, this seminar aims to define the future of the PN in the light of the country’s national interests at stake and the emerging maritime security environment. It also rationalizes the future of the PN force structure and its most effective force employment founded on the need to attain naval dominance in future battlespace. This also provides the necessary guidance to direct the efforts of the Navy to effectively undertake its directed mandate and how naval forces may be used to implement state domestic and foreign policies. In addition to these goals, the seminar also echoes the pronouncement by the AFP’s DSOM (Defense System of Management) to have a capability-based development of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and a strategy-driven management and employment of the country’s military force.

Attending this event are members of Philippine maritime security agencies, academe and other interested groups and individuals. They shall draw upon the perspectives, experience and expertise through facilitated plenary and focused group discussions.

The speakers include USEC Antonio Santos Jr., DND Undersecretary for Defense Affairs; ASEC Augusto J Mier, NSC Asst. Dir Gen for Security Policy; Doctor Clarita Carlos PhD of UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Director Hjayceelyn Quintana, from DFA’s Office of Asia Pacific Affairs and Honorable Florencio Fianza, Special Envoy for Transnational Crimes.

Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez AFP, the Vice Commander, Philippine Navy, culminates the seminar-workshop with a closing remark.

“We should develop the means and ordinance in drafting a naval strategy that can propel the Navy to its 2020 vision: a strong and credible navy our nation can be proud of,” Cortez said.

Cortez also said that there is going to be a number of difficulties and challenges ahead in transforming the Philippine Navy to be at par with our neighbors in the Southeast Asian region.

“In this regard, as we look forward to the Philippine Navy’s future, we must look with pride and confidence that the Navy will then be modernized and capable of ensured territorial defense operations,” Cortez added.