WORLD-CLASS ARMED FORCES. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. welcomes President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the Major Services Officer Candidate Course Joint Graduation Ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Dec. 13, 2024. In his speech, President Marcos said his administration remains committed to transforming the AFP into a world-class force that is a source of national pride and security. (Photo credit: AFP-PAO)
MANILA – Being an archipelago, the Philippines faces enormous challenges in keeping its vast and porous borders secure and safe. The task is not just about watching and guarding the coastlines and maritime expanse that surround our islands. It is about making sure every Filipino can live safely and peacefully, prospering from the land and marine ecosystems that belong to them. It is about protecting and keeping our sovereignty.
Tatag Kapuluan is the Philippine Armed Forces’ (AFP) answer.
Understandably, not everything about the plan can be shared with the public. But through regular public reports and briefings by officials in the security sector, the government does its best to keep the people informed. This builds trust, so the public can support these efforts with a clear understanding that Tatag Kapuluan aims to keep our country safe.
Introduced at the 89th Founding Anniversary celebration of the AFP on Dec. 20, 2024, Tatag Kapuluan is the latest and most refined iteration of the military’s overarching approach to securing our land, people and sovereignty. It remains anchored in previous campaigns and established defense theories developed by the AFP, such as the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept plan, updated to fit the prevailing situation and needs and foreseeable challenges.
This defense plan reflects a significant change in how the AFP views and carries out its mission — moving from fighting internal threats to actively securing the nation’s territory, sovereignty and maritime rights against external threats. It is not just being on guard anymore; it is taking action.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said: “From strengthening our territorial defense to enhancing disaster response capabilities, we remain committed to fulfilling our institutional mandate…. This effort is guided by our new campaign plan, Tatag Kapuluan, which envisions a resilient and secure archipelago through synchronized and holistic national efforts.”
As rapid changes take place around the world and geopolitics take different turns and shapes, Tatag Kapuluan will keep the Philippines safe from all external threats. This plan prepares and readies the AFP in ways never done before to secure our place in the community of sovereign and peace-loving nations.
Understanding the shift
For decades, the AFP has trained its efforts mainly at fighting groups that cause internal trouble. These threats have all but been eliminated. We now face a new challenge: protecting our territory and maritime rights in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in the West Philippine Sea.
Tatag Kapuluan marks this focal shift. The AFP is now looking outward, ready to defend our vast waters and coastlines, protect our rights and our nation’s resources, making sure other countries respect our boundaries, maritime expanse and extended economic zones.
The Naval Special Operations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines participated in island seizure exercises in the West Philippine Sea during the AJEX-DAGITPA 2024. (Photo credit: AFP-PAO)
Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong shed more light on this strategic pivot and repositioning. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, he said: “The Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept is … essentially the expansion of our assets and capabilities to defend our territory. We’ll have the capacity to protect the very edges of our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Keeping in shape, staying ready
The plans are put into action. The annual AFP Joint Exercises called “AJEX DAGITPA” bring together members of the Army, Air Force and Navy to train and practice response to various scenarios related to Tatag Kapuluan.
“This year’s exercise will adopt an operationally focused framework enabling us to simulate our territorial-defense plan,” said Brawner. This means the AFP isn’t just doing drills; they are testing how fast and well they can respond to any act that challenges our territorial and sovereign rights. Soldiers learn to handle different situations, from defending remote islands to keeping vital sea routes safe. They practice using new technology, creative strategies, and better teamwork.
Speaking about the current form and implementation of CADC, and how the military intends to shape it for the future, Andolong also said: “When it comes to our strategic basing, we’ve started the development of our current outposts, and we’ll be adding even more.”
Despite the more immediate concerns in the West Philippine Sea and other regional points of tension, the plan is meant to cover every inch of Philippine territory. “Not only our western seaboard, but 360 degrees … the vision is that one day, our entire EEZ will be covered by our Armed Forces and other security units involved in defending our republic,” Andolong added.
Renato de Castro, a professor at De La Salle University, noted: “This Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept is an indication that the government is finally taking our external defense challenges seriously.”
Why a strong security sector matters
You might think these big plans do not really affect your everyday life.
But if our waters are secure, our fishermen can sail the seas without worry and bring their catch to our dining tables. Safe seas also let goods move freely, keeping prices steady and businesses thriving. We will have a steady supply of seafood without any extra costs. When our borders are secure, we can build trust with our neighbors and create partnerships.
A strong security sector also plays a vital role in times of emergency and disasters. When a typhoon hits, a ready military can respond faster, rescuing people in distress and bringing help to those in need.
Tatag Kapuluan is not only a revised approach to defense. It also enhances the AFP’s capacity and readiness to assist in humanitarian and disaster-relief operations. Better planning and equipment lend themselves to the task of saving lives, which is also part of the AFP’s mission.
“Beyond [ensuring] territorial defense, our men and women [stand] at the forefront of humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” Brawner said. “Whether securing our sovereignty or extending a hand in times of need, we remain steadfast in our duty to the flag, the country, and the people.”
Forging strategic alliances
Tatag Kapuluan also involves building alliances and teamwork with other countries. The AFP regularly holds joint military exercises and patrols with counterparts in allied countries, notably the United States, Australia, and Japan. Through sharing of knowledge, skills, technology and expertise in these exercises, the AFP grows better, stronger and more capable.
These alliances and multilateral cooperation manifest the Philippines’ adherence to peace and diplomacy as the core principle and policy in its relationship with other nations.
Territorial defense and national security are never-ending tasks. The AFP learns from all its experiences and from the experiences of other countries. They look at how other nations deal with maritime challenges and find ways to improve. By practicing with allies, they keep getting better. As these improvements happen, Tatag Kapuluan will guide the AFP’s development, making sure they stay strong and ready to protect our nation and our people.
Defense in the virtual world
In a rapidly changing world, where physical borders are rendered almost nonexistent by the technology of cyberspace, new and different kinds of threats have emerged. Tatag Kapuluan understands that the AFP must keep up.
The AFP is looking at cyber defenses, better radar systems, and advanced communication tools. This helps the AFP act fast when trouble arises, whether it is a suspicious boat or a block in a vital supply route or an attack on the country’s communications infrastructure.
Brawner cited the importance of “operationally focused” training to face real-world challenges, which shows that the AFP understands the need to keep pace with modern forms of threats and conflicts.
With peace and security, development follows
When a country can defend and secure itself, its people feel safe and confident. They live their lives peacefully, worry-free and more productively. Local and foreign investments grow and the economy prospers. The country achieves its full development potential.
In his speech during the Major Services Officer Candidate Course Joint Graduation Ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Dec. 13, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his administration remains committed to transforming the AFP into a world-class force that is a source of national pride and national security.
“This transformation begins with investing in our people— in their talents, the specialists, the leaders who will bridge the gap between tradition and innovation,” President Marcos said.
“We will modernize your equipment, enhance your training programs, ensure that you are equipped to face challenges not just of today but also of the future. Because together, we will build an AFP that will stand as a beacon of strength, of alliance, resilience, and technological excellence,” he added. (PNA)
