By Douglas Carroll, public affairs specialist for DKI APCSS

 HONOLULU — The Comprehensive Security Course (CSC) 25-3, held in late summer at The Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), was remarkable on many fronts, perhaps none more so than the highly successful Philippine National Security Policy Net Assessment Cohort whose detailed works have the ability to reshape the modern Republic’s approach to government and international relations.

CSC 25-3 hosted a diverse class, graduating 113 Fellows from across 37 countries, 11 of which coming from the Philippines, and they came with purpose. Rodney A. Jagolino, resident fellow and concurrent chief at the Center for Policy & Strategy College was one of the driving forces behind the cohort.

“There was prior engagement with the faculty of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, followed by a workshop in the Philippines hosted by DKI APCSS and facilitated in conjunction with the National Security Council,” Dr. Jagolino said. “Learning from that workshop we wanted to adopt some of the principles and framework of net assessment in our context.”

He was referencing the inaugural Karakoa Forum, named after pre-colonial Philippine warships and held in April 2025 in Manila. It explored how critical thinking frameworks can aid in implementing the National Security Policy and National Security Strategy. DKI APCSS alumni from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) played leading roles in organizing the forum.

Being part of the DKI APCSS “ohana” (family) and the unique benefits afforded by attending the Comprehensive Security Course were recognized as significant factors in choosing the Center as the location to undertake the next phase of this compelling work.

Virginia Bacay-Watson, a professor and regional security expert for Southeast Asia and faculty member at DKI APCSS since 2004, was one of the lead partners for the workshop held in her home country. She also played a role in facilitating the cohort back in Waikiki.

“Here at the Center, the Fellows are given access to the expertise normally not available back in the Philippines, in terms of the knowledge that they require. We have a lot of faculty that are well versed in the functional topics that they are pursuing,” she said.

“Secondly, a lot of them are alumni and are familiar with the learning process at DKI APCSS which brings out the best discussion amongst the group,” she elaborated.

The DKI APCSS Philippine Alumni Association, one of the most active throughout the global network, is well over 500 strong and made up of members from across all avenues of the Philippine government and military, some holding the highest offices of their respective branch or agency.

Cyril Prado Cusi was a national security specialist when he attended his first course at DKI APCSS back in 2009. This experience inspired him to create the first national security policy and strategy for the Philippines, making it his Fellow Project. He has since risen to director for strategy formulation and development of the National Security Council, and as the founder of this latest cohort he has brought his initial idea to fruition.

“For me the most important component of the programs at DKI APCSS is the Fellow Project, for three reasons,” he said. “The first is purpose, where you are given the freedom to pursue an initiative that you are passionate about within your sphere of influence. Second is confidence — because of DKI APCSS you know that your project is built upon the most appropriate tools, documentability and integrity, and the best international practices.”

Director Cusi’s third reason on the importance of Fellow Projects was certainly more personal – a legacy.

“When you commit to complete your project, you are contributing not only to your organization, but also to your country and the greater good of the world.”