Retired General Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Security Advisor, outlined a strategic vision of “assertive restraint” and internal resilience as the cornerstone of regional peace during the 14th Manila Forum for Philippine-China Relations on Wednesday.
Speaking after a comprehensive address by Chinese analyst Professor Victor Gao, Esperon drew from his extensive experience in military and security policy to address the delicate balance of upholding sovereignty while avoiding escalation, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
The Foundation: Internal Strength and Resilience
Esperon began by emphasizing that a nation’s external security is predicated on its internal stability. He cited his tenure as vice chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict under the Duterte administration as an example of a “whole-of-nation” effort that combined military action with addressing root causes of unrest through engagement with local governments and civil society.
“True national security begins with internal cohesion,” Esperon stated. He linked this directly to current policy, noting that the “critical nexus between security and economic development” is essential for building a unified and resilient society less vulnerable to external threats.
The Strategy: Practicing Assertive Restraint
On the contentious issue of the West Philippine Sea, Esperon, who also formerly headed the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, shared firsthand experience dealing with the presence of foreign maritime militia vessels.
He defined the Philippine approach as “assertive restraint”—a strategic posture that balances firm resolve with measured diplomacy. This involves standing firm on the country’s rights, including the 2016 arbitral ruling and UNCLOS, by filing diplomatic protests and maintaining operational readiness, while consciously “resisting the impulse to escalate tensions.”
“It is a strategy rooted in legal legitimacy, moral ascendancy, and strategic discipline,” he explained, asserting that “resolve and restraint can coexist.”
The Culture: Embedding Security in Society
Beyond government policy, Esperon argued for fostering a “culture of security” where every citizen becomes a stakeholder. He highlighted the need to embed national security consciousness into civic life, involving youth, media, and academia to create a society characterized by “vigilance, resilience, and proactive engagement.”
He called for this mindset to be embraced across the Indo-Pacific to address shared challenges, noting that while ASEAN has been crucial in preventing conflict through dialogue, it must strengthen its security architecture to safeguard its economic gains.
Instruments of National Power
In his conclusion, Esperon highlighted the need to strategically integrate all “instruments of national power”—diplomacy, information, military, economy, law enforcement, intelligence, finance, and development. He stressed that development is a primary tool, stating, “If we cannot develop, we can never be powerful.”
He ended with a cautionary note: “Diplomacy without a credible military strength is an invitation to assertiveness by opposing forces.”
The forum, organized by the Association for Philippine-China Understanding, brought together diplomats, former officials, and experts to discuss avenues for strengthening bilateral relations amidst complex geopolitical challenges.#
