Photo from Office of Naval Strategic Studies - Philippine Navy's Facebook Page
The Philippine Navy conducted its annual Maritime Security Symposium last May 10 at the New World Manila Bay Hotel, as part of the Navy’s pre-anniversary activities. The Symposium this year focused on developing Philippine sea power from the country’s potential based on its experience as an archipelagic state, hence the 2018 theme “Harnessing the Sea Power Potential of the Philippines.”
This is the 4th Maritime Security Symposium since it was launched in 2015. Its goal is to be a platform where different stakeholders can meet and discuss their roles in national maritime security and defense in order to come up with a cohesive action plan for each sector involved.
The whole day event was attended by leading figures not only from the Philippine Navy but also guests from neighboring countries such as Indonesia and Australia. Among the speakers were academics and maritime industry representatives. Asia Pacific Pathways to Progress was represented by President Dr. Aileen Baviera and Research Fellow Julio Amador III as panel moderators, and Research Analyst Philip Alegre as a participant.
The Symposium also discussed the way forward for the country’s maritime security, with Dr. Virginia Watson, a Hawaii-based Filipino security studies expert, presenting how technology can be incorporated to serve as a force multiplier for the Philippine Navy. She also underscored the need for greater awareness of maritime issues in the public and private spheres, in order to get support for the necessary budget appropriation for modernization and capability boosting.