DR ALAN ADA LACHICA
Vice President for Academics Affairs and Dean
DR. ALAN ADA LACHICA is the Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the National Defense College of the Philippines. He also serves as the Module Director for National Security Administration (NSA 201). He previously served as the Module Director for National Security Administration 210 (Special Topics in National Security Administration). Dr. Lachica was also the Program Director of the successful, first-ever English Language Course (ELC), an English language training program under the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM)- Wide Education and Training Exchanges Program participated by military officers and ministry of defense officials from several ASEAN-member countries.
Dr. Lachica obtained his Ph.D. in International Studies (major in International Relations) from Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea. He finished his Master in Political Science specializing in Peace Studies and Global Governance at the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies of Kyung Hee University in Seoul, South Korea. He also received a Certificate in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from Europa Universitat Viadrina in Germany.
He had previously worked in South Korea as an Assistant Professor in Daegu Catholic University and at Gyeongju University. He was also a Professorial Lecturer in the Master of ASEAN Studies graduate program of the University of the Philippines Open University and at the Department of International Studies in Far Eastern University.
His academic and research interests are defense diplomacy, United Nations and collective security, ASEAN, humanitarian intervention, international humanitarian law, and geopolitics. He has published his research on humanitarian intervention and geopolitics in international peer reviewed journals.
DR ANANDA DEVI DOMINGO-ALMASE, DPA
Professor III and Module Director NSA 203
Dr. Ananda Devi Domingo-Almase, DPA is a Professor III of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) and the Course Director for the National Security Policy Analysis Module of the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) Program of this College.
Dr. Almase graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, major in Journalism; Master in Public Administration, with honors; and, Doctor of Public Administration. She is also an alumna of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) of the United States (US) Department of Defense (DOD) in Honolulu, Hawaii where she took up the “Advanced Security Cooperation Course.” As part of her continuing education, she also took up the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Executive Education Program for “Senior Executives in National and International Security,” and the HKS Executive Education Program on “Mastering Negotiation” in Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
DR JESUS VICTOR G LACERNA, ECE
Professor I and Module Director NSA 203
PROF ROBERT JOSEPH P MEDILLO
Associate Professor II and Module Director NSA 204B
ROBERT JOSEPH PAMA MEDILLO is an Associate Professor II and the Acting Chief of the Academic Affairs Division of the National Defense College of the Philippines. He also served as Assistant to the President on Research Matters from June 2021 to March 2022. Prof Medillo is the MNSA Program’s Module Director of NSA 300 (Thesis Writing) for the Academic Year 2021-2022. His research areas are critical security studies, politics of security, security cooperation, and foreign policy and national security issues in developing countries.
He earned his Master of Arts in Political Science from De La Salle University-Manila in 2018 (Recipient, St. La Salle Financial Assistance Scholarship) and his Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in 2012 (Recipient, Full Honors Academic Scholarship). His master’s degree thesis titled “Imperialism, State-Making, and Philippine Security in the South China Sea” analyzed the Philippines’ security challenges in the South China Sea using the nuances of postcolonial perspective in International Relations (IR).
His recent publications are “Seeking Accountability, Legitimacy, and Transparency: Congressional Intervention in the Philippines’ South China Sea Policy,” Philippine Political Science Journal (Volume 41, Issue 1-2); “The Tragedy of Small Power Politics: The Philippines in the South China Sea,” Bandung: Journal of the Global South (Volume 7, Issue 1); and “The Philippine Security Predicament in the South China Sea,” Digest of the Office of the Strategic Studies and Strategy Management, Armed Forces of the Philippines (Volume 23, Issue 3). His commentary “Will Taiwan’s COVID-19 Response Bolster its International Recognition?” was published by the East Asia Forum.
His forthcoming publications are “The European Union as a Security Actor in the South China Sea: A Philippine Perspective” (Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Philippines) and “Book Review: Rivers of Iron: Railroads and Chinese Power in Southeast Asia” (Asian Politics and Policy Journal). In the past almost ten years combined, he taught general education and professional courses in Political Science, International Studies, and Social Sciences in Adamson University, National University, College of the Holy Spirit, and Far Eastern University, and has worked for diplomatic missions based in Manila: under the Political Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea from 2014 to 2015, and the Press and Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Italy from 2016 to 2021.
PROF REJ CORTEZ TORRECAMPO
Associate Professor I and Module Director NSA 207B
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR REJ CORTEZ TORRECAMPO is an Associate Professor I of the National Defense College of the Philippines and a Senior Lecturer at the International Studies Department of Miriam College. He is the Module Director of NSA 207B: Leadership and Management for AY 2021-2022. He is also currently serving as the Director of the Philippine Center of Excellence in Defense, Development, and Security (PCEDS) of NDCP.
He works on research and extension services related to gender, peace, and security; collaborative governance; and naval diplomacy. He is currently expanding his management research report entitled “Designing a Collaborative Governance Strategy for an Integrated Philippine Defense and Security Education System”.
His administrative functions include: Director, PCEDS, Secretary, Joint Accreditation Board, Faculty-in-Charge of Gender and Development, Vice-Chair of the TWG on the Development of the NDCP Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and member of Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) NDCP Chapter.
He has been with the defense sector since 2015; serving as a defense analyst at the Office of Naval Strategic Studies of the Philippine Navy until 2018 and research consultant for the PN until 2019. He joined NDCP, serving at PCEDS, in May 2018. He obtained a degree of Master in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with a specialization in International Politics minor in Peace Studies from Miriam College. He completed 30 units of coursework for the program Master of Arts in Foreign Service from the Philippine Women’s University from 2014 to 2016.
DR THERESITA V ATIENZA
Module Director NSA 202
DR THERESITA V ATIENZA is the first President-elect of the Quezon City University (QCU) on December 16, 2020. Her selection by the Board of Regents last October 8, 2020 was in compliance with CHED Memorandum Circular 32. Under the leadership of Dr. Atienza, the University received its Certificate of Recognition as full-pledged Higher Education Institution by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). QCU became one of the first local universities in the National Capital Region to receive such recognition following the release of CHED En Banc Resolution No. 105-2021 dated March 17, 2021. Her significant contribution in the issuance of CHED Certification of Program Compliance (COPC) for its program offerings, specifically its Industrial Engineering and Electronics Engineering programs along with Information Technology, and Entrepreneurship, paved the way for QCU’s CHED Institutional Recognition which was received by the University three months into her term. President Atienza was also heavily involved in QCU’s Association of Local Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (ALCUCOA), which ensures that the educational programs of the university meet acceptable standards of quality.
Prior to this, she served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) where she was tasked not only to oversee the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) Program but also to design and develop executive courses and training programs for military officials, local chief executives, and managers from both the public and private sectors.
She also briefly served as Senior Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School for Public and Development Management of the Development Academy of the Philippines. Dr. Atienza was a full Professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines where she also served as Dean of the College of Science. She was also Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) and hosted the school’s radio program “Buhay Manggagawa (Worker’s Life)” over DZUP 1602am. Dr. Atienza has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas, Master’s degree in Technology Management from the University of the Philippines, and a doctorate degree in Educational Management in 1997.
As certified accreditor of the Asia Pacific Accreditation Certification Commission (APACC), she has validated quality assurance of Polytechnic academic institutions in Malaysia and the Philippines. In her capacity as adviser to an organization of women leaders, Women in National Development and Security (WiNDS), Dr. Atienza participated in a workshop organized by the Asia Pacific Center for Strategic Studies (APCSS) on Inclusion of Women in the Security Sector. Her commitment to excellence of security sector education is demonstrated by her engagement as member of the NDCP Academic Board, Vice Chair of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command Multi-sectoral Advisory Board (AFPETDC-MSAB), and current Chairperson of the PMA Board of Visitors (PMA-BOV), an advisory body to the Secretary of National Defense on matters relating to the country’s premier military academy.
Dr. Atienza is an Asian Public Intellectuals Fellow of the Nippon Foundation. She was the Philippine representative to the Regional Committee (RC) of the API Fellowships Program. As RC representative, she served as member of the regional project management team that was tasked to oversee the 1st regional project, “Community-based Initiatives Toward Human-Ecological Balance”. The project allowed her to conduct research in Khiriwong, Thailand; Batanes, Philippines; and Kali Code, Indonesia. She is likewise a Salzburg Global Fellow on “Optimizing Talent – Closing Educational and Social Mobility Gaps Worldwide”.
DR CHESTER B CABALZA
Module Director NSA 204A
DR CHESTER B CABALZA is the Founder and President of the Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation (IDSC) and teaches in the graduate school at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He advises national leaders, multinational companies, and embassies on defense and security issues. He previously held the position of Vice President for the Center of Research and Strategic Studies while concurrently he became the Executive Fellow at the Development Academy of the Philippines. He was formerly a Consultant of the World Bank and the Japan International and Cooperation Agency. He is conferred as Scientist by the Department of Science and Technology under the Presidential Decree 997. As an Environmental Reviewer of the Department of Environment and National Resources, he has reviewed big ticket projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program including railways, subways, mining projects, mega dams, expressways, and bridges. He also lectures for and advises theses of senior military officers at the National Defense College of the Philippines and the Command and General Staff College. A Fellow of the College of Defense Studies at National Defense University in Beijing, and the US State Department under the stewardship of the University of Delaware. He has published in peer-reviewed journals in the purview of security studies and recently co-authored The Rise of Philippinedization: Philippinedization is not Finlandization. Cabalza won the IFSSO international prize for the Social Science Award. He is regularly interviewed by local and foreign media on the South China Sea, regional terrorism, and related international political economy issues.
PROF MARIA VICTORIA DV GUMMERT MSc
Module Director NSA 205
PROF MARIA VICTORIA DV GUMMERT MSc is currently the Module Director for NSA 205: Economics and Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). She was a Senior Supervising fellow at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for the Master in Productivity and Quality Management Major in Microfinance, and the Master in Public Management Major in Rural Development, on a blended learning mode. She used to be a lecturer at the Command and General Staff College, Philippine Public Safety College, and other programs of DAP’s Graduate School on Public and Development Management. She was an Instructor at Mindanao State University, General Santos Campus and Camarines Sur State Agricultural College.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City and finished her Masters in Agricultural Economics Major in Production Economics from the University of the Philippines – Los Baños. She also finished her course work for the Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics Major in Resource Economics from UPLB.
Areas of Specialization:
• Economics and Security
• Agricultural Economics
• Environmental Science
• Environmental degradation effects on Agriculture
• Project Development Management
• Bridging Leadership
PROF VLADIMIR T MATA GSC, CESE, MNSA, MPM
Module Director NSA 207A
BGEN JOEL M PALOMA
Module Director NSA 208
BGEN JOEL M PALOMA was born on 13 July 1968 in Butuan City. He started his military career at the Philippine Military Academy as a proud member of the Philippine Military Academy “ Sambisig” Class of 1991.
Prior to his assumption as the Assistant Division Commander, 4th Infantry Division last February 7, 2022, he had held the positions of Chief, Army Governance and Strategy Management Office (AGSMO), Executive Officer of the Army Modernization and Program Management Office (AMPMO), The Division Chief, Strategy and Policy Division, Plans and Programs, OJ5, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and later on became the Executive Officer of the Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM), AFP. A seasoned combat officer who has served as Company Commander in Caraga Region and Basilan and as Battalion Commander in Maguindanao and Northern Samar, an accomplished Intelligence Officer of 4ID having been a Battalion S2, a Collection Team Leader of MICO and Brigade S2 in Caraga then designated as the Chief of Operations and Signal Intelligence Officer of OG2,4ID during the Central Mindanao Campaign in 1999.
His leadership and strategy management competencies were honed through various education and training such as the National Security Studies Program of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Master in Christian Leadership in the Asian Seminary Christian Ministers (ASCM), Diploma in Strategy and Defense Strategy Studies in the University of Malaya, Malaysia, Strategy Management System during the Palladium Positive Impact Summit 2018 in London, United Kingdom, and a Member-Participant of the Track II Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions (NADI).
He is a governance practitioner and strategy execution subject matter expert (SME) being a grantee of the Professional Directors Program by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), an Associate of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), and a guest lecturer on Strategy and Risk Management in the University of Asia and the Pacific and the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). Likewise, he is an Academic Board Member and Module Director of the Masters in National Security Administration (MNSA) Regular Class 58 of NDCP.
His selfless dedication to duty carries out to any mandated task with enthusiasm, distinction, and competence which significantly contributed to the sustainable reforms as envisioned in the Army Transformation Roadmap 2028. By promoting the culture of operational and organizational excellence, he hepled instill good governance that was inducted as a Palladium Hall of Fame Awardee 2018 for Executing Strategy of the Harvard Business School, USA, awarded in London, United Kingdom and brought honor to the Philippine Army.
BGEN PALOMA’s dedication to military service has been recognized through numerous awards and decorations. Some of which are the Distinguished Service Star, several Bronze Cross and Military Achievement and Military Merit Medals, various Ribbons, Badges and numerous Letters of Appreciation and Commendation. Significantly, JOPAL (as he is fondly called) is a recipient of Two (2) Outstanding Achievement Medals from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in January 2010, and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in November 2019 during the 80th Anniversary of the Department of National Defense.
A loving husband to the former Ms Lolita Gonzales and a dedicated father to Joel Nathan, Zoe Mae, Joseph Noel, Anna Patricia and Andrea Rose.
PROF RENATO CRUZ DE CASTRO
Module Director NSA 209
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 Relation. He was a visiting fellow in the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) of the Japanese Ministry of Defense in the summer of 2018. He was based in Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) from June to August 2017 as a visiting researcher. From September to December 2016, he was based in East-West Center in Washington D.C. as the U.S.-ASEAN Fulbright Initiative Researcher from the Philippines. He is an alumnus of the Daniel Inouye AsiaPacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, U.S.A.
In 2009, Dr. De Castro became the U.S. State Department ASEAN Research Fellow from the Philippines and was based in the Political Science Department of Arizona State University. Professor De Castro served as a consultant to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Secretary Caesar Garcia, of the National Security Council (NSC) during the Aquino Administration (2010-2016). He conducts several professional courses on International Relations, Strategic and Security Studies in the National Defense College (NDCP), Special Intelligence Training School (SITS) of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), General Staff College of the Philippines, and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).
As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Albert Del Rosario Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ADRI), he writes monthly opinion columns for the Philippine Star and Business World. In 2019, the Board of Trustee of the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) declared 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 number of citations.
The 2022 AD Scientific Index ranked him 92th among the top 100 scientists in the Philippines and one of the top 50 Social Scientists of the country. The index also ranked him number one Filipino Political Scientist in terms of publications and citations. He has written over 100 articles on international relations and security that have been published in a number of 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.
He earned his Ph.D. from the Government and International Studies Department of the University of South Carolina as a Fulbright Scholar in 2001, and obtained his B.A. and two master’s degrees from the University of the Philippines
COLONEL HAROUN-AL-RASHID I JAJI
Module Director NSA 210
COLONEL HAROUN-AL-RASHID I JAJI earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Philippine Military Academy graduating as a consistent honor student and with the highest number of awards of excellence in 1991. Subsequently he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Army.
He has over 20 years of progressively responsible experience in military service, crisis management, and peacebuilding, both at headquarters and in field missions. These are highlighted by his stints as a military officer involved in conflict resolution, counter-terrorism, and strategy management and deployed in remote conflict-affected Mindanao for more than a decade; as peace monitor and deputy chief of staff of the Joint EU-ASEAN Aceh, Indonesia Monitoring Mission; and as consultant, member of the technical working group and staff officer in the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace processes, among others.
LONEL JAJI is a graduate of several military and civilian schoolings both local and abroad. He completed the Special Forces Operations Course, Intelligence Officer Course, Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Courses, and General Staff Course, among others, from the different Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) training institutions. He did his master’s program on resource management in Australia and China at the University of Melbourne. He completed his Master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in International and National Security Policy at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University, New York, United States of America. He also earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy specializing in Natural Resource Conflict at the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry as a Fulbright scholar. These are complemented by certificates and diplomas earned by attending seminars/workshops/courses in various training institutions around the world, particularly in Europe and the United States of America. He has the distinction of being the First Fulbright Scholar from the AFP since the Fulbright program was established in the country 73 years ago.