FILE PHOTO: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said military officials and defense scholars play an important role in combating cyberattacks and misinformation on the West Philippine Sea.
Estrada, chairperson of the Senate’s panel on defense, made the remark when he addressed newly-promoted general and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in an event hosted by the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association, Inc. (NDCPAAI).
During the event, the senator noted that the Philippines is concerned not only with the recent aggressive maritime confrontations in the West Philippine Sea, but also “equally distressing concerns” such as cybersecurity threats.
“Other equally distressing concerns persist. These include cybersecurity threats, which expose the country to cyber-attacks that can disrupt critical services and compromise sensitive data,” Estrada said in his speech.
Estrada cited an executive policy brief by NDCP Defense Research Officer II Christine Lisette Castillo, which stated that pursuit of sovereign rights requires “all instruments of national power, including cyber capabilities.”
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“In her paper, Castillo said ‘the growing tension between the Philippines and China is reflected in cyberspace, where cyber espionage, cyber attacks, and malign information operations are widespread,’” said Estrada.
“‘Certainly, cybersecurity has long been a part of national security, and its importance in relation to the West Philippine Sea has been established.’ I couldn’t agree more,” he added.