Manila, Feb. 28 -- Being an archipelago, the Philippines faces enormous challenges in keeping its vast and porous borders secure and safe. The task is not just about watching and guarding the coastlines and maritime expanse that surround our islands. It is about making sure every Filipino can live safely and peacefully, prospering from the land and marine ecosystems that belong to them. It is about protecting and keeping our sovereignty.

Tatag Kapuluan is the Philippine Armed Forces' (AFP) answer.

Understandably, not everything about the plan can be shared with the public. But through regular public reports and briefings by officials in the security sector, the government does its best to keep the people informed. This builds trust, so ...