Honasan: WPS defense plan should include worst-case scenarios

With the recent sighting of China's "monster ship" near Zambales, senatorial aspirant Gringo Honasan emphasized on Monday the need for the government to include worst-case scenarios in its plan to defend the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Ang kailangan malaman lang, ano ang plano natin para depensahan ang ating demokrasya, ang ating pamumuhay, ang ating karagatan, ang ating mangingisda? Anong plano natin?” Honasan said during the first episode of dzBB's "Ikaw Na Ba? The Senatorial Interviews."

(We need to know the plan to defend our democracy, our daily lives, our seas, and our fisherfolk. What is our plan?)

While Honasan believed an invasion was unlikely, he acknowledged that the current situation was far from normal. He called for comprehensive preparedness, even at the risk of being labeled an alarmist.

"Lulusob ba sila? Sa tingin ko hindi…ang ibig ko lang bigyan ng diin… is hindi normal ang sitwasyon ngayon. Kung nag-iisip tayo na normal, aba’y nagkakamali tayo. Kung mali tayo dahil sobra ang pagkapraning natin, e 'di ako bitayin ninyo. Pero kung tama tayo at hindi tayo naghanda, ay may problema tayong malaki," he said.

Honasan also said that while he trusted the government had a strategy in place, the public must be included in discussions, not merely consulted.

“Siyempre sigurado naman tayo may plano ang gobyerno. Isama naman nila tayo, tayong mga ordinaryong mamamayan... Kung sakaling magkaroon ng sitwasyon, saan tayo kukuha ng tubig, pagkain? Kung aarmasan tayo, saan tayo kukuha ng armas na pangdepensa?” he added.

(Of course, the government has a plan, but it should involve us, the ordinary citizens. In a worst-case scenario, where do we get water and food? If we need to arm ourselves, where do we get weapons?)

Confidential, intelligence funds

During the interview, Honasan also stressed the need to clarify the allocation and auditing of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) among government agencies.

“Siyempre public funds ito. Galing ’yan sa buwis na binabayad ng mga kababayan natin. Dapat hindi ito nilulustay, ’di nasasayang, at ginagamit sa tamang paraan,” he said.

(These are public funds sourced from taxpayers. These should not be squandered or wasted and must be used properly.)

He added that CIFs were not personal funds to be distributed indiscriminately and must undergo a rigorous process.

“San kinukuha, kasama ba ’yan sa budget—naisabatas na General Appropriations Act, sino ang gumagamit?” Honasan asked.

(Where is this sourced? Is it part of the budget? Who uses it?)

As a former Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Honasan shared his experience using CIFs for cybersecurity. 

He recalled reporting a hacking incident during his tenure, which was promptly addressed to prevent a national security threat.

He also noted that the allocated confidential funds for DICT at the time were insufficient.

“Biruin mo ’yung panganib ay ’di lamang sa ating sistema, kundi panganib sa bansa natin,” he said.

(Just imagine, the danger wasn't just to our systems but to our nation.)

During the Fast Talk segment of the dzBB Eleksyon 2025 Special, Honasan shared his stance on various issues:

• Political dynasty: Against
• Law against turncoatism: In favor
• Publicizing SALNs: In favor
• Divorce: Against
• Distribution of financial aid (ayuda): Against
• Legalization of jueteng: Against
• Legalization of medical marijuana: Against
• Tokhang-style drug war: Against
• Death penalty for heinous crimes and drug trafficking: Against
• Amending the Constitution: In favor

— DVM, GMA Integrated News