As part of celebrating the National Defense College of the Philippines’ (NDCP) 58th anniversary, the Philippine Center of Excellence in Defense, Development, and Security (PCEDS) spearheaded the launch of “Security Sector Reform and Governance in the Philippines” by RAdm Rommel Jude G Ong (Ret).

Through the lens of development, governance, and security, the book tackled development issues as a matter of creating and equitably distributing wealth among the people; governance as the right of the people to be provided with leadership, guidance, and public service; and security as freedom from physical or mental fear in order to live as desired within the bounds of the law.

BGen Edgardo C Palma PA (MNSA) – Chief of the Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) – served as a reactor during the virtual event, while House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Loren V Legarda, MNSA, delivered a keynote speech.

During his closing remarks, BGen Archidemes H Viaje AFP (Ret), PhD, MNSA, CESE, President of NDCP, emphasized that security sector reform is a potent lens through which various issues concerning democracy, security, peace, and development can be discussed. According to him, institutions in the security sector play important roles in upholding national security, supporting or undermining democracy, and pursuing just and lasting peace.

Comprising RAdm Ong’s team are Ms Bernadette N Patañag; Mr Kevin John Domingo; Mr Joed Martin Cruz; Ms Madelaine DC Yabut; Ms Mereniza C Gomez, MIS; and Mr Nassef Manabilang Adiong, PhD; and Ms Ramona Liza Paulino.

Nearly a hundred participants attended the virtual event, consisting of students of the Master of National Security Administration (MNSA) and National Security Studies Program (NSSP), NDCP personnel, stakeholders from the AFP, Department of National Defense (DND), and the general public.