Romualdez urges regional lawmakers, experts to strengthen cooperation in security forum


At a glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, Feb. 3, called on incumbent and former lawmakers, diplomats, as well as security and technology experts from across the Indo-Pacific region to push for and make efforts toward strengthened regional cooperation as a way to address security and economic challenges.


House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday, Feb. 3, called on incumbent and former lawmakers, diplomats, as well as security and technology experts from across the Indo-Pacific region to push for and make efforts toward strengthened regional cooperation as a way to address security and economic challenges.

Speaking at the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) in Manila, Romualdez said it was the current geopolitical tensions, economic vulnerabilities and technological disruptions that prompted him to make such a call.

Such issues require a coordinated global response, he said.

"We gather at a critical moment when the Indo-Pacific—home to 4.7 billion people, or 60 percent of the global population, and a driving force of global trade and innovation—is both a region of immense opportunity and unprecedented challenges," Romualdez said.

It is a region where economic dynamism coexists with intensifying strategic competition, geopolitical tensions and non-traditional security threats, thus "these realities demand our collective action and resolve as parliamentarians and policymakers", he added.

PI-SF is a global platform that convenes legislators to discuss intelligence, security, and economic threats. It has played a key role in strengthening multilateral cooperation against emerging global challenges.

Manila is the host of this year's forum, which has now focused on the Indo-Pacific—a region that includes economic powerhouses such as China, Japan, India and South Korea.

West Philippine Sea

Meanwhile, Romualdez also reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to international law in asserting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He cited the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which rejected expansive maritime claims in the region. He has emphasized that upholding the decision is essential for maintaining regional stability.

“For the Philippines, the situation in the West Philippine Sea remains a direct and urgent concern. This is not just a matter of territorial integrity—it is a test of the international community’s commitment to upholding international law and ensuring freedom of navigation,” he said.

He then warned against gray-zone tactics, coercive actions, and militarization of artificial islands, which threaten peace and stability.

Romualdez said the Philippine government has taken legislative steps to strengthen its maritime jurisdiction, including the passage of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

“The [WPS] issue underscores the importance of preserving a rules-based international order,” he said.

“For smaller nations like the Philippines, this order serves as a safeguard against the arbitrary use of power and ensures that disputes are resolved peacefully, through dialogue and diplomacy, rather than coercion or intimidation,” he added.

He urged fellow lawmakers to use their legislative influence to reinforce alliances and uphold international agreements that promote stability in the region.

Economic concerns

Aside from territorial issues, Romualdez also warned that economic vulnerabilities remain a serious security concern, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where supply chain disruptions, economic coercion, and widening inequalities could destabilize growth.

“The Indo-Pacific’s economic security depends not just on its strategic location but also on the resilience of its economies and institutions,” Romualdez said.

“Persistent inequalities continue to threaten regional stability. Without adequate social protections, 266 million people in Asia could fall into poverty by 2040,” he added.

So, he called for stronger regional economic frameworks, particularly through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to ensure fair and sustainable trade policies.

He stressed the need to protect supply chains and critical industries, particularly in key sectors like semiconductors, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.

He also urged policymakers to prioritize climate-resilient economies and sustainable infrastructure, stressing that economic resilience goes hand in hand with environmental protection.

He underscored the growing risks of cyber threats, disinformation, and the misuse of artificial intelligence, warning that emerging technologies must be governed responsibly to prevent destabilization.

“The Indo-Pacific stands at the forefront of technological innovation, but emerging technologies also pose risks to political stability, economic security, and social trust,” said the leader of the 300-plus strong House. 

Romualdez said governments must establish strong cybersecurity measures, data privacy protections, and AI regulations to prevent cyberattacks, espionage, and the spread of false information.

He also emphasized that technology must be used to advance development goals, including investments in renewable energy and climate adaptation.

“Our collective challenge is to establish clear regulations and safeguards to prevent the malicious use of technology—whether through cyberattacks, data breaches, or AI-driven disinformation campaigns,” he said.

Romualdez called on lawmakers to embrace a regional strategy based on deterrence, resilience, and commitment to sustain peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

He urged fellow parliamentarians to support multilateral cooperation and uphold the rule of law, recognizing that the Indo-Pacific is not just a region of competition, but of shared aspirations for stability and progress.

“As we have emphasized in previous forums, let us uphold three guiding principles: deterrence—to defend against security threats and maintain stability; resilience—to strengthen our institutions and economies; and commitment—to uphold sovereignty, the rule of law, and regional cooperation,” he said.