MANILA, Philippines – Iginiit ni Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Romeo Brawner Jr. nitong Biyernes, Abril 10 ang pangangailangan sa mas matibay na kooperasyon sa mga bansa sa Southeast Asia sa lumalagong maritime security challenges.
Sa pagsasalita sa Maritime Security Symposium 2026, ipinunto ni Brawner ang kahalagahan ng sustained dialogue at collective action sa Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.
“This year’s theme, navigating continuity and change through ASEAN captures the reality we face today. Because while the principles that have guided our region remain steady, the environment in which we operate is becoming more complex,” ani Brawner.
Sinabi pa nito na ang maritime domain awareness ay dapat na palakasin sa pamamagitan ng information sharing at interoperability sa mga bansa sa ASEAN.
Idinagdag pa niya na ang confidence-building measures ay dapat ding palakasin upang mabawasan ang miscalculation.
Dapat din aniyang magkaroon ng consistent at kolektibong pagtugon sa maritime rules at norms.
“These are familiar priorities, but in a time of change, in a time where we are faced with a lot of conflicts globally, they require renewed commitment,” sinabi ni Brawner.
“ASEAN has always drawn its strength not from uniformity, but from unity of purpose. That unity must continue to guide us, not only in preserving what we have built, but in shaping what comes next,” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon kay Brawner, ang rehiyon ay humaharap sa mas kumplikadong mga pagsubok dahil sa nagbabagong geopolitical dynamics, mabilis na technological developments, at climate-related pressures.
Idinagdag pa niya na ang pangunahing pangangailangan ngayon sa maritime domain ay ang maritime safety, proteksyon ng critical underwater infrastructure, sustainable na paggamit ng marine resources, at pagtatagpo ng climate risks at security threats. RNT/JGC
