Marcos wants support for security strategy vs internal, external threats

President Marcos speaks with a Philippine Navy officer in front of a drone that will be used by the military. (File photo from PPA POOL)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered all government agencies to heed the administration’s National Security Strategy or the NSS 2024.

He also encouraged the private sector to support the program.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular No. 75 containing the directive on behalf of the commander in chief on Dec. 20.

The move indicates government’s adoption of the strategy created and recommended by the National Intelligence Board.

The NSS 2024 seeks to operationalize the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028, which is the roadmap for the transformation of the security sector.

It covers domestic security issues and it is also focused on external defense amid incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

“In accordance with their respective mandates, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including local government units and government-owned or-controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and the private sector is hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of the NSS 2024 and the plans and programs stipulated therein,” the two-page circular stated.

The circular was posted in the Official Gazette on Saturday (Dec. 28).

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año previously said the NSP “represents our long-term aspirations as a nation and defines the strategic direction that we will pursue within this Administration’s term through a set of clearly defined goals.”

“Essentially, these goals seek to address several emerging trends, both domestic and external, that pose a threat, real or potential, to the security and prosperity of the Filipino people for generations to come,” Año added.

His message was published in August 2023.