Año urges Europe, Indo-Pacific to unite vs. cyber threats

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año has called on Europe and the Indo-Pacific to “link arms” in developing countermeasures against cyber intrusions, election manipulation, and other emerging threats.

Speaking at a Stratbase ADR Institute forum in Makati City on Thursday, Año stressed the need for sharing best practices to protect democratic institutions.

“Our regions must also link arms in developing and employing joint countermeasures against cyber intrusion and foreign interference and malign influence campaigns, especially now that cyberspace is greatly exploited to advance interests, spread threats, and sow disorder in our societies,” he said.

Año also pushed for cooperation in building supply chain resilience, particularly in critical minerals and rare earths, to reduce dependency on single suppliers. He said both regions must expand collaboration in energy, security, critical infrastructure, and advanced technologies.

He further emphasized strengthening cognitive warfare resilience and closer coordination on freedom of navigation in flashpoints like the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, West Philippine Sea, and East China Sea to prevent rising tensions.