COMMO. JAY TARRIELA
Chief, West Philippine Sea Transparency Office, Philippine Coast Guard
Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela is currently serving as the Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Human Resource Management (CG-1) and is also the Adviser to the Commandant on Maritime Security Affairs, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea. He successfully completed his Ph.D. at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) under the GRIPS Global Governance (G-cube) Program in Tokyo as a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) ASEAN Public Policy Leadership scholar. He has participated in various military and coast guard training programs both in his home country and internationally. Dr. Tarriela holds a graduate degree from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Graduate School and a Master of Policy Studies from GRIPS and the Japan Coast Guard Academy. He was among the first batch of participants in the Maritime Safety and Security Program jointly launched by both institutions in 2016.Furthermore, Dr. Tarriela was selected as part of the inaugural cohort of the 2021 Pacific Forum US-Philippines’ Next Generation Leaders’ Initiative. Additionally, he has been chosen as a fellow for the 2021 East-West Center US-Philippines Alliance Fellowship in Washington, DC, USA. Dr. Tarriela has authored opinion-editorial articles for renowned publications such as The Diplomat, The National Interest, and Analyzing War. He also serves as a visiting lecturer at the National Defense College of the Philippines, the Philippine Public Safety College, Ateneo De Manila University School of Government, and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Graduate School.
DR. JEFFREY ORDANIEL
President & CEO, WPS
Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel is non-resident Adjunct Fellow and Director for Maritime Security at the Pacific Forum. Concurrently, he is also Associate Professor of International Security Studies at Tokyo International University (TIU) in Japan. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and specializes in the study of offshore territorial and maritime entitlement disputes in Asia. His teaching and research revolve around maritime security and ocean governance, ASEAN regionalism, and broadly, U.S. alliances and engagements in the Indo-Pacific. From 2016 to 2019, he was based in Honolulu and was the holder of the endowed Admiral Joe Vasey Fellowship at the Pacific Forum. His current research on maritime security in Asia is funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), 2020-2024.Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel is President and CEO of WPS Foundation, a Manila-based maritime security research and policy think tank. Concurrently, he is also Associate Professor of International Security Studies at Tokyo International University (TIU) in Japan. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and specializes in the study of offshore territorial and maritime entitlement disputes in Asia. His teaching and research revolve around maritime security and ocean governance, ASEAN regionalism, and broadly, U.S. alliances and engagements in the Indo-Pacific. From 2016 to 2019, he was based in Honolulu and was the holder of the endowed Admiral Joe Vasey Fellowship at the Pacific Forum. His current research on maritime security in Asia is funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), 2020-2025.
GEN. EDUARDO AÑO (RET., AFP)
National Security Adviser, Philippines
Gen. Eduardo Año is a Filipino public official and retired general of the Philippine Army who currently serves as the National Security Adviser under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos since 2023. He previously served as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte from 2018 to 2022, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2016 to 2017, and the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from 2015 to 2016.
H.E. BINH LAI
Ambassador of Viet Nam to the Philippines
Dr. Lai Thai Binh is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Philippines. He served as deputy director-general of the East Sea (South China Sea) Institute (Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam), the deputy consul-general of Vietnam in Houston, deputy director-general and assistant director-general at Americas Department in the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, director of the American research division, director and deputy director of the North America division, and as a Vietnam-U.S. relations desk officer.He earned a BA in international economics from Hanoi Foreign Trade University and a Ph.D in International relations from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
H.E. AGUS WIDJOJO
Ambassador of Indonesia to the Philippines
H.E. Ambassador AGUS WIDJOJO graduated from the Indonesian National Armed Forces Academy. He holds a Triple Master's Degree, namely: Master of Military Art and Science from the US Army Command and General Staff College; Master of Science in National Security from the US National Defense University; and Master of Public Administration from George Washington University. He served the Indonesian Armed Forces, earned the rank of Lieutenant General. He served in various positions such as the Chief of Territorial Affairs, Commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College, and Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly. He also served as member of the International Commission for Control and Supervision based in Vietnam and the UN Emergency Force II Contingent based in the Sinai Peninsula.He was a Commissioner in the Indonesia-Timor Leste Commission of Truth and Friendship, and Governor of the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia from 2016 to 2022.
AMB. MA. TERESITA DAZA
Spokesperson, Department of Foreign Affairs
She is a senior career diplomat who served in various capacities in the home office and foreign service posts of the DFA.In the home office she was assigned in the Foreign Service Institute as Director General, Office of ASEAN Affairs as Executive Director, Office of the Secretary as Special Assistant and Office of Protocol and State Visits as Director. She is currently the DFA Spokesperson. In the foreign service she was assigned as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, India, with concurrent jurisdiction over the Kingdom of Nepal and oversight jurisdiction over the Kingdom of Bhutan. She also served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Philippine Mission in Jakarta, Indonesia, First Secretary and Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in Bucharest, Romania and Third Secretary and later Second Secretary at the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Her last posting was as Ambassador at the Philippine Embassy in Santiago, Chile with concurrent jurisdiction over Peru and Ecuador from 2019 to 2021. She was awarded the Medalla al Merito de Chile, Grado Gran Cruz, for her efforts in promoting Philippines – Chile relations including the successful commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. Ms. Daza has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foreign Service, Cum Laude, from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Management from the Development Academy of the Philippines and has completed International Relations units at the University of the PH.
COMMO. NELSON TIMBANG
Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Intelligence, Philippine Coast Guard
Commo. Nelson Timbang is Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Intelligence, Philippine Coast Guard.
RADM. SAMUEL KOWAAS
Executive Secretary, Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA)
Rear Admiral (RADM) Dr. Samuel Kowaas, M.Sc., CSBA, is the Executive Secretary of the Indonesia Coast Guard (Bakamla RI), responsible for coordinating national maritime security policy and strategy. With a distinguished career in the Indonesian Navy and extensive experience in maritime law enforcement, he has played a key role in enhancing Indonesia’s maritime domain awareness, operational readiness, and international maritime cooperation. Known for his strategic vision and leadership, RADM Kowaas continues to contribute to the advancement of Indonesia’s maritime security and sovereignty.
HAMZAH BIN ISHAK
Deputy Director-General of National Security (Security Management), National Security Council, Prime Minister's Department, Malaysia
Mr. Hamzah Ishak currently serves as the Deputy Director-General of National Security (Security Management) at the National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister’s Department of Malaysia, a role he has held since 2021. With nearly 30 years in public service, he has extensive experience in national and maritime security, crisis management, and international security policy.He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Analysis and Security from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), a Diploma from the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN), and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science (Geography) from the University of Malaya (UM). His professional training on security includes international fellowships and courses in India, Singapore, Russia, and the United States.Mr. Hamzah’s expertise spans national and maritime security, crisis management, public order, international relations, human rights, and transnational issues He has represented Malaysia at the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) State Parties Meeting and the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, in Geneva.He played key roles in the ICJ cases on Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh and Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan. He also contributed to the formation of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), National Security Policy and key national legal frameworks, including the National Security Council Act 2016 and the Emergency Ordinance 2021
AMB. ADAM M. TUGIO
Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia
Ambassador Adam M. Tugio is currently Senior Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on Political, Legal, and Security Affairs. He was Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan. Before that he was Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia-London-UK.
LT. COL. LUYEN NGUYEN (VCG)
Deputy Commander of Reconnaissance Unit No. 1, Vietnam Coast Guard
Lt. Col. Nguyen Van Luyen graduated from the Vietnam Naval Academy and obtained a Master's degree from the People's Security Academy, Vietnam. During his service with the Vietnam Coast Guard, he fully dedicated himself to planning, providing recommendations, and advising senior leaders on maritime security policies and efforts to address non-traditional security threats.
DR. PRASHANTH PARAMESWARAN
Founder, ASEAN Wonk Newsletter
Dr. Prashanth Parameswaran is the founder of the ASEAN Wonk newsletter which produces twice-weekly analysis on Southeast Asia and Indo-Pacific geopolitics and geoeconomics. He is also senior columnist at The Diplomat, an instructor at the Foreign Service Institute and an advisor for the strategic consultancy BowerGroupAsia. Born and raised in Southeast Asia, Dr. Parameswaran has worked in stints across think tanks, government, media and business in the United States and the region. He has published over 2,000 articles, and his insights, research and commentary have been published widely in the United States and across the region in leading publications and journals including CNN, The Washington Post, The South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, Asia Policy and Contemporary Southeast Asia. His book Elusive Balances: Shaping U.S.-Southeast Asia Strategy, published in 2022, developed and applied an original “balance of commitment” approach to examining U.S. commitment in Southeast Asia over the past half century, along with policy recommendations for future administrations. Dr. Parameswaran holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Arts from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University focused on international security, international business and U.S. foreign policy in East Asia, and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia where he studied foreign affairs and peace and conflict studies and graduated Phi Beta Kappa.
RADM. ROY VINCENT TRINIDAD (PHILIPPINE NAVY)
AFP Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea, Philippine Navy
Rear Admiral Trinidad graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1991 and began his career as a Navy SEAL with the Naval Special Warfare Group, where he served for six years. He later qualified for and served in Naval Intelligence before transitioning to the Fleet. In 2008, he completed his shipboard tour as the commanding officer of an Offshore Patrol Vessel.He spent nearly four years at the JointHeadquarters Staff for Operations (O/J3) and served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Operations (N3) at Navy Headquarters. Throughout his career, Rear Admiral Trinidad has held various key positions at both tactical and operational levels, including assignments in the Southern Philippines and the West Philippine Sea.He currently serves as the Naval Inspector General of the Philippine Navy and AFP Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea.As the Naval Inspector General, Rear Admiral Trinidad is responsible for the operational readiness of all Philippine Navy units. As the Navy and AFP Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Trinidad is responsible for all messages of the AFP about the West Philippine Sea, foreign malign influence and foreign intrusions into our maritime domain.
ATTY. FRETTI GANCHOON
Maritime Expert and Senior State Counsel, Philippines
Atty. Fretti Ganchoon is a Senior State Counsel at the Department of Justice (DOJ). She heads the Legal Staff - Maritime Group. She is also the DOJ's alternate permanent representative to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and the National Maritime Council (NMC).
DR. MUHAMMAD TAUFAN
Minister Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
Dr. Muhammad Taufan is Official of the Directorate of Legal Affairs and Territorial Treaties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MoFA). His responsibility in the current working unit centre around maritime boundary delimitation issue, ocean affairs, and air and space law issues. He has worked as a counsellor/United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 6th committee expert at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia to the UN in New York between 2019 and 2022. In 2021, Taufan was elected by the Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS) as the 31st Vice President of SPLOS. He also served as Vice-Chair of the ad hoc committee on the Indian Ocean, UNGA (2021- 2022), and coordinator of the draft resolution on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disaster (PPED), 6th committee UNGA (2020-2022). He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Flinders University, Master of Law from IMO-International Maritime Law Institute, and Bachelor of Laws from Diponegoro University.
DR. HUONG NGUYEN
Director, Center for International Law, East Sea Institute, Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam
Nguyen Thi Lan Huong is Director of the Center for International Law, East Sea Institute, of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (DAV) since 2022. She was Deputy Director of the Center for International Cooperation, East Sea Institute, DAV from 2020 to 2022.Her research field is Public International Law and the Law of the sea. She got her bachelor in International Relations, specialised in International Law in the Institute of International Relations in Viet Nam (2007); LLM in International and European Law in the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis (France) (2011) and PhD in International Law in the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam (2023).
PROF. THITINAN PONGSUDHIRAK
Senior Fellow, Institute of Security and International Studies, Chulalongkorn University
Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak is Professor of International Relations at Chulalongkorn University and Senior Fellow at its Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) in Bangkok. He has held visiting positions at Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, University of Victoria in New Zealand, among others, and serves on editorial boards of academic journals, including Journal of Democracy. He has authored a host of articles, books, book chapters and over 1,000 opinion ar-ticles in mass media, Nikkei Asian Review and The Bangkok Post. His comments have appeared regularly in international media, including Aljazeera, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, DW, among others. Prior to his academic and think-tank career, Thitinan worked for the BBC World Service and the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in London. His current work focuses on the geopolitics and geoeconomics of Asean and the Indo-Pacific in view of the US-China conflict.In 2015, he was recognised for excellence in opinion writing by Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA). More recently, he was appointed ASEAN@50 Fellow by New Zealand’s Minister of For-eign Affairs & Trade and Australia-Asean Fellow at Sydney’s Lowy Institute. Currently, he is sen-ior advisor for geopolitics with Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and independent expert of ADMM+ Cybersecurity and Information Centre of Excellence (ACICE). In January 2024, Thitinan was awarded a commendation by the Japanese government for his work on Japan-Thailand and Japan-ASEAN relations. Thitinan completed his MA at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced Inter-national Studies and PhD at London School of Economics and awarded the UK's best dissertation prize in 2002.
DR. CHIEW PING HOO
Senior Fellow, East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus
Dr. Chiew-Ping Hoo is Senior Fellow of the East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, Malaysia. She is concurrently a member of the Asia Pacific Nuclear Advisory Panel (APNAP) of the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), Research Fellow at the Yokosuka Council on Asia Pacific Studies (YCAPS), and Editorial Board Member for the AUP Politics and IR in Asia Series at Amsterdam University Press. Previously, Dr. Hoo had served 16 years at the National University of Malaysia (2007-2023) as Senior Lecturer in Strategic Studies and International Relations; was Defence White Paper consultant and writer for the Ministry of Defence (2019-2020); and a member of Consultative Council on Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2021-2022) of Malaysia. Her research interests include the Korean Peninsula security issues, nuclear-maritime security nexus in East Asia, and economic-security linkages between Northeast and Southeast Asia. She received her PhD in Politics and International Relations from La Trobe University, Australia.
DR. COLLIN KOH
Senior fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Collin Koh is senior fellow at the Institute of Defence & Strategic Studies, a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, based at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He primarily researches on maritime security and naval affairs in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing especially on Southeast Asia.
DON MCLAIN GILL
Lecturer, Department of International Studies, De La Salle University
Don McLain Gill is a Filipino geopolitical analyst, author, and lecturer at the Department of International Studies, De La Salle University (DLSU). He is also a non-resident fellow at the Stratbase ADR Institute, a visiting senior fellow at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), and a research fellow at the USANAS Foundation. He specializes in Philippine foreign policy, maritime security cooperation, India-Southeast, and Indo-Pacific geopolitics. He has written in the form of books, book chapters, peer-reviewed international journal articles, newspaper columns, and commentary/ analysis articles for major international affairs.
MA. CARMEN ABLAN LAGMAN
Professor, Department of Biology, De La Salle University
Dr. Ma. Carmen Ablan Lagman is a full professor at the Department of Biology of De La Salle University. She was the project leader of the the Population Interdependencies in the South China Sea Ecosystem (PISCES) project, a joint research effort of scientists from coastal states of the ASEAN, east Asia and Pacific to investigate natural genetic tags in marine organisms to determine their natural boundaries. She currently heads the PGL team at DLSU where she conducts research, develops innovations, and works with partners in the Philippines to address fisheries, aquaculture and marine biodiversity conservation issues. She actively participates in related policy discussions. She is an advocate of progress through technology and biotechnology literacy, sustainable use of marine resources and the development of a blue economy. Dr. Lagman is one of the 2020 Filipino Faces of Biotechnology of the Department of Agriculture and a 2015 Outstanding Research Awardee of the Department of Science and Technology. She is a2023 Distinguished Hubert Humphrey Fellow to Harvard University a 2018 Newton Agham Fellow to the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Asian Institute of Management and a Fulbright Visiting Scholar to the Oregon State University in 2013-2014. She received her BS, MS and PhD degrees from the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
ISARA CHANRACHKIJ
Project Planning and Management Division, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center /Training Department
Mr. Isara Chanrachkij is the Head of Project Planning and Management of the SEAFDEC Training Department based in Samut Prakan, Thailand. He graduated the M.Sc. Marine Science from Kasetsart University, Thailand. His background is Fishing Instructor and Fishing Gear researcher and Chief Scientist/ Fishing Master onboard SEAFDEC research vessels.
PROF. SAZLINA SALLEH
Deputy Director, Center for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Dr. Sazlina Salleh is an accomplished ocean scientist with extensive expertise at the intersection of ocean science and management. Currently an Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Center for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, she holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Tasmania. Her research focuses on marine biodiversity, conservation policy, marine spatial planning, and climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Dr. Sazlina has contributed significantly to marine spatial planning, serving as an expert in initiatives such as the Expert Group on Marine Spatial Planning in the Western Pacific (2023-2026). She has consulted on national and international projects related to sustainable ocean management, including Malaysia’s National Blue Economy Development and biodiversity conservation. Her roles as a national consultant for major organizations like Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) highlight her ability to bridge science and policy, advocating ecosystem-based management approaches. Her leadership extends to research on marine conservation, particularly in areas like eutrophication monitoring, coral and seagrass ecosystem health, and climate resilience of marine species. As a member of the SCOR Capacity Development Committee and a resource person in various national workshops, Dr Sazlina actively promotes sustainable ocean governance and the integration of scientific findings into policy frameworks, mainly through her advocacy for data sharing and management to improve marine management strategies.
DR. CHARINA LYN REPOLLO
Deputy Director for Research and Development, Marine Science Institute-University of the Philippines
Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo is a physical oceanographer, currently serving as an Assistant Professor and the Deputy Director for Research and Development at the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines. Additionally, she is one of the Balik-Scientist awardees of DOST-PCAARRD and heads the Physical Oceanography Observation Laboratory. With a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Dr. Amedo-Repollo specializes in coastal and island circulation, ocean monitoring, high-frequency radar remote sensing, hydrodynamic modeling, and climate change dynamics.Beyond academia, Dr. Amedo-Repollo is actively involved in public outreach endeavors, utilizing her expertise through invited talks, workshops, training, and media engagements. Her commitment extends to research, mentorship, and advocacy, where she strives to advance our understanding of the ocean while advocating for its conservation.
DR. CHIEN THAI
Division Chief, Capture Fisheries and Resource Management Department, Research Institute for Aquaculture Number 3 (RIA3)
Dr. Thai Ngoc Chien, is Head of the Department of Capture Fishery and Resource Management, Research Institute for Aquaculture Number 3 under The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam. His works cover different fields such as Capture Fishery, Resource Management, Environmental Monitoring, and Introduction of new aquaculture models or livelihood models to farmers. He has coordinated several projects on building up new models to adapt the Climate Change: “Introducing polyculture technology and providing policy-makers for sustainable aquaculture development in Vietnam” from 2004-2005, financed by Vietnamese Government; Project on “Aquaculture and Coastal Management in Vietnam” from 2003-2012 financed by Norway; Project on “Reducing the dependence on the utilization of trash fish/low-value fish as feed for aquaculture of marine finfish in the Asian region” from 2009-2010, financed by FAO.From 2010-2011, he worked with Climate Change Project on “Coastal Marine Biodiversity of Vietnam: Regional and Local Challenges and Coastal Zone Management for Sustainable Development”, Lead by Dr. Konstantin A. Lutaenko.He participated in Workshop on Technical Consultancy for stock enhacement from 13-15/07/2005 in Iloilo, Philippines.At the moment, he is working with Seaweed Production Project; in this project he has developed models of seaweed culture for the poor farmers along the coast of Vietnam who can shift their livelihoods from in-shore capture fishery to aquaculture due to the risk of capture fishery industry effected by monsoon, storms, sea level rise that are believed effecting by Climate Change.
NEIL SILVA
Legal Officer, Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, University of the Philippines Law Center
Neil Silva serves as Legal Officer at the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center's Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea; Lecturer at the UP College of Law and at the Development Academy of the Philippines; and Fellow at the Philippine Public Safety College. He was previously a project member on Countering Foreign Interference and Malign Influence at the Ateneo Policy Center; and legal adviser to the National Coast Watch Council Secretariat and to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking Secretariat.He was legal adviser to the Philippine delegation to negotiate the Philippine-US Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation in 2013-2014; a member of the delegations to defend the Partial Submission on the ECS in the Benham Rise Region and to negotiate the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons; a member of the editorial board on the Partial Submission on the ECS in the West Palawan Region; and a member of Track 2 delegations for dialogues with Australia, China, and Taiwan ROC. He also worked on the review or implementation of agreements with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.He has delivered briefings for Philippine and foreign bodies, including during the Philippine Senate's deliberations on the Maritime Zones Law and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law in 2023-2024; at the USINDOPACOM's MILOPS 2022; and for the NATO ACO OLA's international law conferences on 2023 and 2025 and its legal warfare seminars.
DR. ABE WOO
Deputy Director, Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia
Dr Abe Woo received his PhD in Natural History Sciences from Hokkaido University. His interest of study includes systematics, taxonomy, and diversity study of marine invertebrates, focusing on the group Echinoderms. Since 2009, he has been actively uncovering the marine biodiversity and systematics of sea cucumbers across the region. He is currently serving as a senior lecturer in the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia where he is also actively leading several marine biodiversity research in the Southeast Asian region that includes several taxa of marine invertebrate. At the global front, he is a serving in several UN Decade of Ocean Science Program ECOP co-chairs and also an active contributor to the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) programmes. Dr Woo recently graduated from the Advanced Masters in Sustainable Blue Economy from Unviersity of Trieste, Italy that focuses on science diplomacy through management and development of regional blue economy plans. He is now involved in formulating Malaysia's Blue Economy Blueprint commissioned by the government
PROF. DINDO MANHIT
Founder & CEO, Stratbase Group
Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit founded The Stratbase Group and the Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ADRi) in 2004. Concurrently, he is the Philippine Country Head of BowerGroupAsia. He provides strategic analysis on global issues, identifying business opportunities and developing crucial relationships between government and private sectors.He has held significant government positions, including Undersecretary in the Department of Education and Deputy Secretary in the Philippine Senate. He was a former Chair and retired Associate Professor of the Political Science Department of De La Salle University, Manila. He also regularly contributes articles and columns to leading newspapers in the Philippines, such as Philippine Daily Inquirer and BusinessWorld.His professional involvement spans multiple domains: he chairs the Cybersecurity Committee for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, leads the Investment Policy Committee in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and is active as Convenor in civil society initiatives like Democracy Watch Philippines and Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship.Internationally, he plays a key role in the U.S. – Philippines Strategic Initiative (USPI) and serves as an advisor to Asia Society Philippines. He was appointed as one of the ASEAN Regional Forum Experts and Eminent Persons (ARF-EEP) by the Department of Foreign Affairs.He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines.
JONATHAN MALAYA
Assistant Director-General, National Security Council
With a career spanning over 25 years, he has served in ten (10) government agencies across all three (3) branches of government—an unparalleled achievement in Philippine governance.In the Executive Branch, he has held various key positions, including Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, or Chief of Staff in the DepEd, the OSG, the Office of the President, and the DILG. In the Legislative Branch, he served as Director II and Supervising Legislative Staff Officer in the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the Judiciary, he served as Judicial Staff Head to Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura of the Supreme Court.He has written and edited five books, including Stewards of the Nation: Inaugural Visions from Aguinaldo to Duterte, which climbed to No. 8 on the PowerBooks Best Seller List.He teaches courses on ethics in public service, public policy, and public accountability at the UP NCPAG, University of Makati, DAP, and San Sebastian College Recoletos. He was a founding member and president of the UP Debate Society and captain of the UP Debating Team.During the Duterte Administration, he served as Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs, and Communications and was the Official Spokesperson of the DILG. He was a member and spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EMID) and the National Task Force COVID-19.In March 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed him as an Assistant Director General of the National Security Council, where he continues to serve the nation with distinction.
DR. TRICIA YEOH
Associate Professor of Practice, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham Malaysia
Dr Tricia Yeoh is Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s School of Politics and International Relations. She is also currently a 2024/25 Atlantic Council Millennium Leadership Fellow and Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. She also holds the positions of Senior Adjunct Research Fellow at Monash University Malaysia, and Campus Visitor at the Australian National University, as well as recently Senior Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. She is former CEO of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Malaysia, where she served up to September 2024. She writes and speaks widely on federalism, comparative politics and institutional reforms. She has previously worked in the Chief Minister's Office of the Selangor State Government. Dr Yeoh holds a PhD in Political Science from the School of Politics, History and International Relations at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. Her writings can be found at www.triciayeoh.com.
PROF. RENE DE CASTRO
Distinguished Professor, De La Salle University
Renato Cruz De Castro is a distinguished professor at the Department of International Studies, De La Salle University, Manila, and holds the Dr. Aurelio Calderon Chair in Philippines-American Relations. He has written over 100 articles on international relations and security that have been published in several scholarly journals and edited works in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Malaysia, France, Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. In 2019, the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) announced that Professor De Castro is the most prolific Filipino Political Scientist in terms of scholarly publication and one of the top 10 Filipino Political Scientists in terms of several citations. The 2022 AD Scientific Index ranked him 92nd among the top 100 scientists in the Philippines and one of the top 50 Social Scientists in the country. AD Scientific Index also ranked him as the number one Filipino Political Scientist in publications and citations. On December 20, 2024, the AFP Chief-of-Staff, Lt. General Romeo Brawner Jr. awarded Professor De Castro with the Sandigan AFP Stakeholder Award for his “extensive research, public education initiatives, and active involvement in institutions has significantly played a fundamental role in advancing the knowledge of regional security dynamics and its implications for Philippine sovereignty and regional security.”He earned his Ph.D. from the Government and International Studies Department of the University of South Carolina as a Fulbright Scholar in 2001.
ASEC. MARSHALL LOUIS ALFEREZ
Assistant Secretary, Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines
Mr. Marshall Louis Alferez is Assistant Secretary, Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines
USEC. ALEXANDER LOPEZ
Spokesperson, National Maritime Council
Vice Admiral Alexander S. Lopez PN (Ret) rendered over 42 years of loyal service to the Philippines, including more than 38 years in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). With deep expertise in military operations, intelligence, training, disaster relief, logistics, and diplomacy, he held numerous command and administrative positions throughout his distinguished career. Notably, he commanded five commissioned naval vessels and served as the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Singapore. He concluded his military service as the Commander of the Western Command of the AFP, attaining the rank of Vice Admiral.
PATRICK ZOLL
Correspondent for Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific, Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Mr. Patrick Zoll is the correspondent for geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific for the Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung. He has been reporting on security and strategic issues in the region for nearly a decade and a half with postings to Tokyo and Sydney and now Taipei. Patrick studied international relations in Geneva and Moscow. He is also a Non-Resident Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for Maritime Strategy (KIMS).
PROF. YOHANES SULAIMAN
Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani (UNJANI)
Yohanes Sulaiman is an Associate Professor in International Relations at General Achmad Yani University, Cimahi, Indonesia. He is also a non-resident fellow at the National Bureau of Asian Research, Washington, DC, USA. His interests include Indonesian strategic culture and diplomatic history; Indonesia’s relations with major powers (United States, China, and Russia); East Asian security and politics; and civil-military relations. He has a PhD and MA in political science from the Ohio State University and BA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.Yohanes has published his articles in leading international refereed journals, including Asia Policy, Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, Asian Politics and Policy, and International Journal of Asian Studies. He currently serves as the Executive Editor of Journal of Global Strategic Studies, a peer-reviewed journal of international relations and strategic studies based at UNJANI.
DR. SU WAI MON
Research Fellow (Oceans Law and Policy), Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore
Dr. Su Wai Mon is currently a research fellow (Oceans Law and Policy) at the Centre for International Law (CIL), National University of Singapore (NUS). Su is also a 2024 Blue Security Fellow of the Blue Security Program at the La Trobe University.Prior to joining CIL, Su was a senior lecturer at the University of Malaya's Faculty of Law and a research fellow at the Malaysian Centre of Regulatory Studies. She has also worked with various institutions in Malaysia, including the Maritime Institute of Malaysia, the Malaysian Maritime Law Enforcement Agency, and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.Su's research focuses on emerging technologies and maritime security, cybersecurity in the maritime domain and submarine cable governance.
MUHAMMAD WAFFAA KHARISMA
Researcher, Department of International Relations, CSIS Indonesia
Mr. Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma is a Researcher at Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta, Indonesia. With CSIS, he has worked on a range of research topics on the intersection between geopolitics, sovereignty, and humanitarian issues, including the security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific, the role of ASEAN in regional geopolitics and humanitarian issues, Indonesian foreign policy, the geopolitics and foreign policy drivers around the Korean peninsula, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar, and Indonesia’s maritime security. His most recent publications were published in The Jakarta Post, The Diplomat, and other regional commentary platforms. He also occasionally contributes comments and media interviews to media such as Nikkei Asia, South China Morning Post, TVRI, CNN Indonesia, Tempo, et cetera. He graduated with a Master of Science from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
DR. BIC TRAN
Postdoctoral Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Dr. Bich Tran (pronounced as Bic Trahn) is a senior fellow at Verve Research and an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She has been selected to join the Young Strategists Forum 2025 and International Strategy Forum 2024. Her research interests include grand strategy, maritime security, cybersecurity, and other issues at the intersection between geopolitics and technology.
DR. RAHMAN YAACOB
Research Fellow, Lowy Institute
Dr Abdul Rahman Yaacob is a Research Fellow in the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute. His research interests include Southeast Asia’s defence and security issues and the region’s relations with major powers.Before joining the Lowy Institute, Dr Rahman completed his PhD at the National Security College, Australian National University. His dissertation examined Singapore’s defence policy and analysed the broader strategic and security issues relating to ASEAN during the Cold War.His latest publication explores the strategic implications of the Cambodian Ream Naval Base, following his in-depth fieldwork to the kingdom. Dr Rahman examines how the base reflects growing Chinese influence and its impact on regional security dynamics.During his PhD program, Dr Rahman was a lead investigator on a project funded by a grant from the Australian Army Research Centre. The project focused on understanding Southeast Asian security concerns and explored the potential areas for closer defence cooperation between Australia and its northern neighbours.He is also an Academic Staff member and lectured in the ASEAN-Australia Defence Postgraduate Scholarship Program at the Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, ANU. From 2020 to 2023, he was a Teaching Fellow at the Australian Command and Staff Course, Australian War College.Before commencing his PhD program, Rahman served nearly 18 years with the Government of Singapore. He held various command and staff postings in security-related areas and received several awards, including Ministerial Awards for Operational Excellence and a Commendation for the Rejection of Bribe.
DR. AARON JED RABENA
Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines Asian Center
Dr. Aaron Jed Rabena is Assistant Professor at the Asian Center in the University of the Philippines. His areas of interest include Strategic Studies, Greater East Asian Geopolitics and Multilateral Politics, Political Risk, and Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy.
AVI DS HARAHAP
Minister Counsellor for Social and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Indonesia in Manila
Ms. Avi Dewani Sari Harahap is the Coordinator for Social and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. Prior to her appointment in the Philippines, she was assigned to the Political Section of the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, and the Economic Section of the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
CAPT. ABRIADI
Associate Policy Analyst, Directorate of Legal Affairs, Indonesia Coast Guard (BAKAMLA)
Colonel (Kolonel) Abriadi, S.H., M.M., is a senior officer in the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla RI), currently serving as an Associate Policy Analyst at the Directorate of Legal Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for the development and evaluation of national maritime legal policies.Colonel Abriadi is recognized for his dedication to strengthening Indonesia’s maritime legal framework and surveillance systems, significantly contributing to maritime security and the advancement of the national blue economy.
ANYA CRUZ
Senior Research and Public Affairs Associate, Stratbase Institute
Anya specializes in analytical research on Indo-Pacific defense and security and semiconductor trade in Stratbase Institute. She also develops public affairs strategies focused on governance concerns.Anya holds a master’s degree in Global Political Economy from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Miriam College in the Philippines.
DR. ASYURA SALLEH
Associate Programme Officer, UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme
Dr. Asyura Salleh is an Associate Programme Officer at the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme, where she overlooks regional forums to enhance cooperation between maritime law enforcement agencies. Dr. Salleh holds a PhD from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Masters in War Studies from King's College London, and Bachelors in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading. She has prior experience in policymaking, research, and maritime governance at the Brunei Prime Minister's Officer, Stable Seas, and the Global Awareness and Impact Alliance.
CLARISSE E RUTOR-GARCIO
Oic Director, Policy and Strategic Studies Branch, National Security Council, Philippines
Director Rutor-Garcio currently supervises the Policy and Strategic Studies Branch (PSSB) of the National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat. In this capacity, she assists the Deputy Director General for Operations as well as the Assistant Director General of the Policy and Strategic Studies Office (PSSO) in the planning and conduct of policy research and studies, which become bases for informed and data-driven policy- and decision-making on matters impinging on national security. She likewise supervises and oversees juniors that are handling a wide-range of geographic and issue-based portfolios. In addition, she engages and closely works with her counterparts from other countries, particularly about pursuing collaborative activities on national security concerns. Her main portfolios are maritime and space security, but she is also interested in building the role of women in national security and how policy-making can be enhanced with women participation.Director Rutor-Garcio is a Fellow of the SAIS-JHU ASEAN-US International Rising Leaders Fellowship as well as a Fellow of the DKI Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies (APCSS). She holds a Masters Degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines, a Masters Degree in Management from the Philippine Christian University, and a law degree from the Arellano Law School. She finished her undergraduate course at the University of the Philippines, holding the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, major in Journalism.
DANA DINSAY
Chief of Staff, Stratbase Group
Dana Eunice A. Dinsay is the Chief of Staff of the Stratbase Group. As Chief of Staff, she advises and supports the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Group. She also manages the organization’s daily operations by actively engaging with key stakeholders to identify existing issues and offer viable solutions. She serves as the liaison between the Group and its partners and clients.Dana started as a Research Associate in Stratbase, with her research focusing on trade and investment. She continues to track macroeconomic trends and legislative movements as she provides analysis for clients in the trade and investment sector. Concurrently, she is also a part of the External Affairs Team, which is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with clients and partners.She previously interned for both the European Chamber of Commerce (ECCP) and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (La Cámara). She was also briefly involved with a US-based software development company before moving to a Malaysian-based consultancy firm focused on creating social impact through design thinking. She also delved into management consultancy as she provided consultancy services to businesses around the Philippines, including a multinational company in the food and beverage sector.Dana received her bachelor’s degree in European Studies with a specialization in international business and economics from the Ateneo de Manila University.
DANIELA BRAUN
Country Director, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines
Daniela Braun is the KAS Country Director Philippines since May 2023. In this capacity, she oversees the programs of KAS’ oldest office in Asia. Previously, Daniela worked as Policy Advisor for International Politics and Security Affairs at the Division Analysis and Consulting of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin. Before KAS, Daniela held different positions at the German Council on Foreign Relations, the German Bundestag and the Berlin Office of the German Marshall Fund.She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Bonn and M.A. from the Freie University Berlin. She also studied in Warsaw, Poland, at the American University in Washington D.C. and as a Fox International Scholar at Yale University in New Haven.
GEN. EMMANUEL BAUTISTA (RET., AFP)
Trustee, Foundation for National Interest
GENERAL EMMANUEL TRINIDAD BAUTISTA (Ret.) was the 44th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from January 2013 to July 2014. Shortly after retirement from the military service, he was appointed Undersecretary at the Office of the President, Malacañang from 01 September 2014 to 22 June 2020. As Undersecretary, he served as Executive Director of the Cabinet Cluster for Security, Justice, and Peace and was concurrently the Executive Director of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea and Head of the National Task Force on the Whole of Nation Initiative. He was also part of the team that represented the Philippines in the South China Sea arbitration case filed before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.Currently, he is a Managing Director at the Ayala Corporation, President of the Hero Foundation and a member of the board of trustees of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia and the Foundation for National Interest. He is also a lecturer at the Development Academy of the Philippines, the National Defense College of the Philippines and the Ateneo School of Government.General Bautista is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy, Class of 1981, and is one of its outstanding alumni awardees; and of the University of the Philippines (U.P.), Diliman where he earned a Masters in Business Administration degree and was a recipient of the U.P. Alumni Association distinguished alumni award for peace and social cohesion.
ERIC ANG
Research Fellow, Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS)
Eric Ang is a a research fellow with the Yokosuka Council on Asia Pacific Studies (YCAPS) and a PhD student from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). His research interest focuses on maritime security in Southeast Asia, and includes preventing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and combating fisheries-related crimes, civil-military responses to Maritime Security challenges such as Theft Robbery And Piracy at Sea (TRAPS), maritime-terrorism, and protection of critical maritime infrastructure, as well as maritime information sharing and domain awareness. He spent the past decade as a maritime security practitioner with work that has included reviewing and developing maritime security doctrines, guides, and procedures at the operational level, as well as the organisation and running of various seminars, and information-sharing exercises. Eric is also a Chartered Marine Technologist and member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (CMarTech, MIMarEST) since 2014, and completed his MSc (International Relations) at RSIS in 2023.
FRANCES DAMAZO
National Programme Officer (Maritime Crime), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Frances Damazo currently serves as the National Programme Officer (Maritime Crime) of the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme based in Manila, Philippines. She is responsible for implementing initative focused on strengthening regional coordination, capacity building, and introduction of new technology to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities in the country.
IVY KWEK
Executive Director, Executive Director
Ms. Ivy Kwek is the Executive Director of Aurora Insights, a geopolitical analysis company that delivers strategic insights on Asia.Prior to starting the company, she was China Fellow at the International Crisis Group, Visiting Scholar at the National Chengchi University Taiwan, and Special Functions Officer to the Deputy Defence Minister of Malaysia.Ivy’s research expertise includes foreign policy and geopolitical affairs in Asia-Pacific, with a special focus on China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
DR. JEMY GATDULA
Dean, Institute of Law, University of Asia and the Pacific
Jemy is a lawyer specializing in international law, constitutional law, and the philosophy of law. He is the Dean of the Institute of Law, as well as the Vice Chairman of the Operations Committee, of the School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance of the University of Asia and the Pacific. He is an opinions columnist for BusinessWorld and Of Counsel for the Policarpio and Acorda Law Office.On scholarship from the Cambridge Overseas Trust, Jemy read international law at the University of Cambridge. Upon the invitation of the US State Department, he attended the Study of US Institutes (SUSI) program, focusing on constitutional law and political thought. He received his Doctor of Juridical Science degree from San Beda College, where his dissertation work focused on the natural law, the Philippine Constitution, and the limits of judicial power.He lectures on international law, international trade law, philosophy of law, and constitutional law for various governmental and academic institutions, including the Philippine Judicial Academy, the National Defense College, Congress, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He has authored, co-authored, or edited books and articles on public international law, international economic law, and natural law.He continues to work on various issues relating to international law, international trade, national security and the law on armed conflict, and the Constitution.
JOVIC FABELLO
Project Development Officer IV, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
Mr. John Vincent Fabello, RPF, is a licensed forester, and holds the position of Project Development Officer IV in the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). Mr. Fabello is also the PCSD's spokesperson.
JUSTIN BAQUISAL
National Security Analyst, F.A.C.T.S Asia
Mr. Justin Baquisal is a national security analyst at F.A.C.T.S. Asia and a regional lead analyst at Pinkerton Singapore. He was the 2024 Southeast Asia Young Leader Program (SEAYLP) Visiting Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and formerly a policy officer in the Philippine Department of National Defense and Presidential Management Staff. His policy research has focused on Philippine defense policy-planning, strategy management, and international defense partnerships.
JV CHAN GONZAGA
Assistant Secretary (Americas), Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines
Mr CHAN GONZAGA is Assistant Secretary for American Affairs at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. He previously served as Minister (Economics) and Consul General at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. Before that, he was Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the Philippine Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.
KAT TOLOSA
Director for Governance and Resilience, The Asia Foundation
Kat Tolosa has more than 20 years of experience in security sector governance and reform, public safety policy reform, and peacebuilding. She has spearheaded various programs and research that directly contributed to defense and security policies and agendas. Kat is the Director for Governance and Resilience with The Asia Foundation. Among the projects she manages is Waypoints: Navigating Civil Maritime Security Reform in the Philippines, supported under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Philippine Civil Maritime Security Program. Waypoints is a strategic initiative designed to assist the Philippine government and its citizens in strengthening its civil maritime security and governance. Waypoints supports local changemakers and reform leaders across government, civil society, and the private sector through the development of both institutional governance and operational capabilities within key maritime agencies. Waypoints likewise supports international collaboration and the exchange of best practices through high-level study visits and partnerships.Before joining the Foundation, she was the Founding Executive Director of Security Reform Initiative (SRI), an independent think tank focused on peace and security policy research and coalition building. he previously worked in various capacities with the Department of National Defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Office of the Executive Director for the Cabinet Cluster for Security, Justice, and Peace under the Office of the President.
KATRINA GUERRERO
Program and Research Manager, Stratbase Institute
At the Stratbase Institute, Kat currently heads the defense and security program. She monitors global security and political developments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific which might affect the Philippines’ domestic and international affairs. At the Stratbase Group, she concurrently tracks developments in the domains of information and communications technology (ICT), energy, and infrastructure.
MARITES VITUG
Editor at Large, Rappler
Marites Dañguilan Vitug, a leading Filipino investigative journalist and author, is editor-at-large for Rappler. She was editor of Newsbreak magazine, a trailblazer in Philippine investigative journalism.She has written nine books. Her latest is Unrequited Love: Duterte’s China Embrace, co-written with Camille Elemia, preceded by Rock Solid: How the Philippines Won its Maritime Case Against China.Marites is also among the contributors of a 2021 book, “Maritime Issues and Regional Order in the Indo-Pacific,” published by Palgrave/Macmillan.Marites has a degree in A.B. Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines and a diploma in world politics from the London School of Economics. She was a Nieman fellow at Harvard University and a recipient of fellowships from the University of San Diego in California—the Pacific Leadership Fellow; the Rockefeller Foundation Writing Fellowship in Bellagio Center, Lago di Como, Italy; the International House in Tokyo—the Asia Leadership Fellow Program; the Australian National University, University of Kyoto and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo.She has won the National Book Award and various awards for reporting on Philippine justice, security, and political affairs, including the Courage in Journalism Award from the US-based International Women’s Media Foundation.
MARTIN CALIGDONG
Information Technology Officer I, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
John Martin S. Caligdong, EnP, is a licensed Environmental Planner and Marine Biologist. He currently serves as the Information Technology Officer I for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. In this role, he manages spatial information for the southern municipalities of the Province of Palawan and performs technical tasks related to coastal and marine activities, including marine resource assessments and damage assessments. He is also responsible for generating the ECAN Zones map and the ECAN Zoning Certificate for the southern municipalities of Palawan. Additionally, Martin acts as one of the GIS specialists for the District Management Division South
SR. COL. KHANH VAN VU (RET., VPA)
Former Director, Department of International Studies, Institute for Defence Strategy, Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam
Senior Colonel, Vu Van Khanh, born in 1960, former Director of the Department of International Studies, Institute for Defence Strategy, Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam; member of the Vietnam Journalists Association. He holds the MA Degree in Strategic Studies at Deakin University, Australia, and BA Degree in Press and Publication at Ha Noi University of Press and BA Degree in Foreign Languages at Ha Noi University, and Certificate of Command and Staff at the Army Academy. Research expertise: Defence strategy, Military strategy; international analysis and defence diplomacy. The author has written 13 books published by the People's Public Security Publishing House and the People’s Army Publishing House, hundreds of articles published in magazines, printed and electronic newspapers; many scientific papers published in the proceedings of domestic and international scientific conferences.
MGEN. RESTY PADILLA
Executive Director for Public Policy and Sustainability, PTC Holdings Corp
MGen Restituto Padilla Jr is a retired Air Force officer who now works in the private sector. He is currently the Executive Director for Public Policy and Sustainability of PTC Holdings Corporation. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985 and served for almost 38 years in the service. He served in various capacities and prior to retirement, served as the armed forces of the Philippines Chief of Plans, J5. He earned his Masters Degree in Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management.
USEC. NESTOR HERICO
Deputy Director-General, National Security Council
Major General Nestor C. Herico, PN(M)(Ret), hailed from Zamboanga City, isa distinguished former Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, renowned forhis exemplary leadership, strategic insight, and unwavering dedication to duty. Inless than a month after his retirement, he was officially appointed as the DeputyDirector General for Partnership and Engagement of the National Security Councillast August 10, 2022.The highlights of his military career include his designation as theCommander 3rd Marine Brigade located in Puerto Princesa City Palawan, hisassumption as the 65th The Naval Inspector General of the Philippine Navy, ViceCommander of the Philippine Navy, and the 34th Commandant of the PhilippineMarines.Deputy Director General Herico graduated from the Philippine MilitaryAcademy in 1988. As he ascended through the ranks, he completed his Master’s inManagement Major in Publication Administration from the Philippine ChristianUniversity in 1998, and Master’s in Public Management Major in InternationalDevelopment Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines in 2011with the same fervor and determination that defined his military service.As a decorated Marine General, he has been recognized with numerousawards for his outstanding performance such as a Presidential Merit Medal, twoPresidential Legion of Honor Awards, two Awards of the Chief of Staff from theArmed Forces of the Philippines, and two Parangal sa Kapanalig ng SandatahangLakas ng Pilipinas medal and ribbon among others.
RAKSMEY HIM
Executive Director, Cambodian Center for Regional Studies
Him Raksmey is currently the Executive Director of the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies (CCRS), an independent foreign policy think tank based in Cambodia. He was a research fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP) from 2018-2023. From March 2022 to December 2023, he also was a researcher at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), and a lecturer at the Department of International Relations (DIR), Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP), Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). His research interests include: Cambodia’s Domestic and Foreign Affairs, ASEAN and Political Security in Southeast Asia as well as various strategic trends concerning the region.
RIGENALD SONZA
Project Officer, Philippine International Law of the Sea Academy
Project Officer Rigenald Sonza, a key enabler at PHILSEA, is critical to safeguarding national security through the operational readiness of Law of the Sea programs. By leveraging his background in political science and nearing completion of his legal expertise, he orchestrates a unified operational framework. This framework strategically integrates academic research, policy formulation, uniformed force capabilities, advocacy group influence, and citizen engagement to establish a cohesive doctrine. This doctrine is paramount for understanding and neutralizing maritime legal challenges within the Philippine Area of Responsibility, directly bolstering the nation's maritime security, protecting its sovereign rights, and ensuring stability within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, particularly relevant here in our operational context within the Philippines.
DR. ROBIN MICHAEL GARCIA
President, WR Advisory Group
Dr. Robin Michael Garcia is a political scientist. academic, and public affairs adviser. He is President and CEO of WR Advisory Group a public affairs firm, and the Founder and Chairman of its opinion research arm, WR Numero Research. He is also an Associate Professor at the Ateneo School of Government of the Ateneo de Manila University.He obtained a PhD in International Politics from Fudan University in Shanghai, a Master of Public Administration from the University of the Philippines, and a bachelor's degree in Development Studies from De La Salle University. He is an Eisenhower Global Fellow in 2023 and a Visiting Scholar at the Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania.
PROF. RISTIAN SUPRIYANTO
Lecturer, Department of International Relations, Universitas Indonesia
Ristian Atriandi SUPRIYANTO is a lecturer with the Department of International Relations at Universitas Indonesia (UI), researcher with the ASEAN Study Center (ASC) at UI, and research fellow with Indonesia Sinology Forum (FSI), Jakarta. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International, Political and Strategic Studies from the Australian National University (ANU), Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University (RSIS-NTU) in Singapore, and Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations from UI. Previously, he worked for the Maritime Security Programme at RSIS-NTU. Ristian comments and writes numerous works on sea power and maritime strategy as well as international relations of the Indo-Pacific region. Among his publications is "Naval Modernisation in Southeast Asia: Problems and Prospects for Small and Medium Navies" (Palgrave, 2018) with Geoffrey Till.
SERGE LLOYD MORALLO
Project Development Officer I, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
Serge Lloyd Fresnillo-Morallo is an early-career marine biologist dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Biology, major in Marine Biology, from Palawan State University, where he developed a solid foundation in marine science, ecology, and environmental monitoring.
SOPHIYA NAVARRO
Program Manager for Security and Innovation, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines
Ms. Sophiya Navarro is the Program Manager for Security and Innovation at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Philippines.She is the editor of several KAS publications and has authored articles for KAS, Rappler, the Ateneo de Manila University - School of Government (ASOG), and 9DashLine, covering various topics on security and governance.Sophiya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations with a specialization in East and Southeast Asian Studies, as well as a Minor in Literature (English) from the Ateneo de Manila University, where she graduated with honors in 2018 under a full scholarship.
TENGKU AIEZUDDIN
Senior Assistant Director, National Security Council, Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysia
The officer is currently serving as Senior Assistant Director at Maritime Security and Sovereignty Department, National Security Council, Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)
THALIA ABLAZA
Chief Protocol Officer, Philippine International Law of the Sea Academy
Nathalia Ablaza is an International studies specialist with a year of experience in law of the sea, marine environmental protection, deep seabed resources, human security at sea, and cross-sector communications. Proven strategic thought leader in local and international project management, capacity-building training, sustainable ocean governance, and campaigns. Committed to significantly contributing to properly educating Philippine legal academicians and professionals about sustainable ocean governance and regional cooperation toward attaining blue economic growth.
