28th Parliamentary Intelligence – Security Forum – Opening Remarks
In his opening remarks, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, welcomed participants to the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum in Manila, emphasizing the Indo-Pacific’s significance as a region of immense economic opportunity and strategic challenges. He highlighted the region’s economic dynamism, geopolitical tensions, and non-traditional security threats, stressing the need for collective action.
Speaker Romualdez outlined three key areas of focus for the forum: first, on geopolitical stability that tackles the issue on West Philippine Sea and the importance of preserving a rules-based international order; secondly, on economic resilience that highlights the importance of securing the global supply chains against disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions or natural disasters, as well as protecting democratic institutions from external influence; and thirdly, on technological transformation that stresses the need for safeguards to prevent malicious use of technology.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of upholding territorial integrity and adherence to international law, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, enhancing economic frameworks, countering foreign interference, and leveraging technology for sustainability. Further, he urged parliamentarians to foster cooperation, uphold shared values, and address regional challenges through dialogue and decisive action. Specifically, he emphasized three guiding principles to ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains a beacon of peace, stability, and opportunity for future generations: Deterrence (to defend against security threats and maintain stability), Resilience (to strengthen our institutions and economies, and Commitment (to uphold sovereignty, the rule of law, and regional cooperation).
