Domestic security vs. external security: The Philippines at another crossroads

There is absolutely no doubt that the Philippines today is facing a dual challenge that goes beyond ordinary governance. On the one hand, an endemic corruption scandal has shaken public confidence in our institutions and provoked public outrage. On the other, there are external forces that seek to exploit our vulnerabilities, amplifying instability in hopes of changing the country’s political direction to serve their own interests. These domestic and external threats cannot be separated; they feed into each other.

Corruption has long been treated as a governance or economic issue, but today, it has become perfectly clear that it is also a national security risk. What is considered the most widespread corruption in government and the betrayal of public trust has sparked volatility and anger. When people see those in government as having no accountability, when public funds are abused and wasted and when justice is perceived as absent, the very legitimacy of government is weakened. That loss of public trust is extremely dangerous to national stability in much the same way that insurgency or terrorism threatens peace and national security.

Internal security, therefore, must be understood more broadly than just simply police and military power, but about sustaining legitimacy. Corruption undermines that legitimacy, and in so doing destabilizes the domestic order that national security depends upon. This is because corruption destroys the trust of the people in government, generating deep-seated resentment at the thought that billions of pesos that should have gone to health, education, basic services and food security were diverted to the pockets of these heartless corrupt officials, legislators and contractors. 

There is enough intelligence information that show growing indications that foreign forces are closely watching – with some actively working to inflame tensions, weaponizing social media by engaging peddlers of fake news to sow disinformation, using covert influence and political proxies to destabilize the government, even impersonating government officials to spread fraudulent messages. 

As a matter of fact, our embassy in Washington was recently the target of phone hacking and fake messages sent from telephone numbers that are not registered with the embassy, with some claiming to be me. 

Ostensibly, messages were supposedly sent by me to some of our government intelligence officials. This is simply totally unacceptable. Clearly, this situation requires stronger alliances as well as stronger internal defenses against information warfare and foreign manipulation.

Obviously, the goal of these malign actors is not to promote the welfare of Filipinos but to create a political vacuum that they can manipulate. History teaches us that external meddling thrives when there is corruption and governance is weak. We have seen far too many examples where a country can very well become a pawn in a great power rivalry. In today’s Indo-Pacific contest, the Philippines just happens to be geographically situated right in the middle of these crosshairs – potentially a battleground and a prize in the competition of these great powers.

There is no question that vigilance is required on the external front. Disinformation campaigns, political destabilization and even covert efforts at regime change must be anticipated and neutralized. 

This is why the corruption scandal must not be treated as another business-as-usual politics. It is a serious national security crisis. The government cannot confront external interference if it is paralyzed by domestic scandal, nor will foreign allies take our security commitments seriously if Filipinos themselves have lost faith in their government and their leaders. To face outward, the country must first put its own house in order. Simply put – a country that is both clean at home and secure abroad cannot easily become vulnerable to destabilization.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. knows the challenges we face both internally and externally are equally important to address. He is well aware that his administration’s credibility is on the line, as well as the nation’s resilience against foreign pressure. He has so far acted incisively: instructing the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to do its job, ensuring credibility in the process and demonstrating political will most of all. Failure to do so will not only feed more public anger but would also risk fueling more instability – giving outsiders potentially greater leverage.

In the end, both fronts come down to one principle: trust. Trust in government, trust in institutions and trust between leaders and the people. Without it, corruption festers, outside interference thrives and security collapses. With trust and confidence, no scandal or foreign pressure can undermine the nation’s fundamental strength. But ultimately, the government would be unable to secure its borders if it cannot secure the trust of its people. 

For the Philippines, this is a defining moment. If we can confront corruption with courage and transparency while standing firm against external interference, we will emerge stronger. But if we hesitate – if we allow scandal and foreign meddling to dictate our future – then we risk being swept once again into the cycle of instability that has haunted our nation for far too long.

The Philippines can no longer afford hesitation. Domestic and external security are not separate priorities. They are inseparable, and can even be described as two sides of the same coin. Our nation’s future depends on acting with clarity and resolve today – not tomorrow. Time is definitely running out. We must act swiftly and decisively, or we are bound to lose it. As my history professor once succinctly told me, “If you snooze, you lose.”

Nobody wants to lose a country. We should never allow it. We not only owe it to ourselves but most especially to those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our country.

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