Our external environment likewise The Philippines has not faced any needs more focused attention. The direct threat of foreign armed invasion Philippines’ archipelagic attributes and since the end of World War II, but there geographic location are both a source of are newly evolving regional security strength and vulnerability. From most uncertainties. Strategically straddled indications, the Philippines can indeed between the bitterly contested South become a great maritime nation. Among China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, where archipelagos in the world, the Philippines competing interests of superpowers and is a unique one for the contiguity with other countries converge, we must be able which its islands, islets and other marine to chart our role in an increasingly multi- features are clustered together. polar global order. Apart from its rich natural Likewise, there are new threats, endowments, the Philippines also boasts possibly more destructive than invading of the highest marine biodiversity in the armies. world and the most number of fish species only to deter potential aggressors but also and marine mammals. It is home to some to protect the archipelago from of the globally-adjudged most beautiful international terrorists, pandemics, beaches in the world – a great push factor transnational crimes and natural disasters. for the country’s booming tourism industry. We must be fully equipped not It is a sad fact that despite the lessons of the past our armed forces On the other hand, and as history remain one of the weakest in Asia, putting has shown, our strategic geographic in doubt our ability to protect and defend location and rich natural resources have our sovereignty and territorial integrity. also provided a strong temptation to expansionist powers. [9]