Makati city: National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo A±o on Thursday called on European and Indo-Pacific nations to unite against "asymmetric" threats that he said move "beyond conventional warfare." "In recent years, as the Indo-Pacific region becomes the center of geopolitical and geostrategic shifts, a host of asymmetric threats has been observed, impacting a global order that has become harder to navigate," A±o told a forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute in Makati City.
According to Philippines News Agency, A±o highlighted that such threats could manifest as cyber attacks and digital espionage targeting infrastructure and defense systems. He also identified foreign information manipulation and interference through coordinated campaigns that spread disinformation, polarizing societies and disrupting elections, as significant concerns.
A±o further discussed economic coercion, citing the use of trade dependencies and critical supply chains as political leverage, and the sabotage of undersea cables disrupting communications and data flow, often utilized in gray zone warfare. He also pointed to the weaponization of resources, where earth and critical minerals are exploited to pressure economies, as a prevalent issue.
A±o emphasized that these threats are not confined to specific regions but transcend borders, exploiting openness, connectivity, and democratic systems. He advocated for deeper, more committed, and sustained partnerships to combat these challenges, asserting that no single country can address them alone.
He stressed the necessity for symmetric unity and systematic actions to counter asymmetric threats, urging an alignment of efforts to reinforce current geopolitical structures and global power dynamics. A±o noted the interconnectedness of these challenges, suggesting that nations must leverage their similarities to confront the threats.
A±o underscored the direct impact of security, stability, and prosperity in Europe on events in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning supply chain shocks, freedoms of navigation, and maritime disputes. He emphasized that Europe has recognized the significance of the Indo-Pacific as a strategic and economic center, acknowledging that instability in this region already influences European stability.
