CIL Research Fellow Dr Su Wai Mon discussed her recent FACTS Asia commentary, "Strengthening Subsea Cables Resilience in Southeast Asia: The Way Forward for ASEAN," at the Third Balangay Forum: The Philippines as the Archipelagic Sentinel: Advancing the Blue Economy, Safeguarding Shared Seas, and Fostering Partnerships, held in Manila, Philippines.

The forum was co-convened by FACTS Asia, The Waypoints Project, the Department of National Defense (Philippines), Asia Pacific College, the University of Asia and the Pacific, the Foundation for the National Interest, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Philippines.

Her presentation examined the growing security risks and emerging vulnerabilities facing submarine communication cables in Southeast Asia and outlined practical recommendations to strengthen regional resilience. The discussion emphasised the importance of translating existing ASEAN commitments into concrete implementation, including the implementation of Article 113 of UNCLOS, the designation of a national coordinating agency or single point of contact for submarine cables, and enhanced public–private and civil–military cooperation.