Book Chapters

Social engineering is often employed by hackers and cybercriminals in order to open links to infected sites, introduce malware into computer systems, and grant access to private and sensitive information. Social engineering primarily takes advantage of human psychology instead of technical hacking methods in order to do so. It is important to keep in mind that while many of these social engineering techniques are used in conducting cyberattacks, many if not all of them have offline and online aspects. There are many aspects of psychology which can be used to understand the topic of social engineering. However, in many instances, it can go as far as sending considerable amounts of money to strangers or the revelation of private and sensitive information with the active participation of the victim of the social engineering tactics. Finally, emotions are powerful gateways to nudging people into action. 

Cyberattacks pose an increasing concern for homeland security. There are various cyberattacks which rely on purely technological means of infiltrating the target’s information system. One of the simplest cyberattacks is the password attack, where hackers attempt to gain access into the files of another individual or entry into a protected network by trying to guess the security code. Some cyberattacks primarily seek to undermine websites and network databases. Computers infected by bots can also be turned into botnets, which allow the perpetrator of the cyberattack to remotely control the infected hosts as a network, coordinating massive attacks on other information systems. Laws against systematic cyberattacks may also pertain to the corporate sphere. As regards cyberterrorism, the foremost federal law is the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act, commonly known as the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001. 

As contributing author to the Palgrave Encyclopaedia of Global Security Studies, the articles centered on economic productivity & infrastructure development, focusing on their roles in economic & global security. They also featured two international organizations based in Southeast Asia championing the cause of economic reform, both at the national & community level: the Center of Reform on Economics as well as the Urban Poor Consortium. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization of countries aiming to promote amity & international cooperation between its member-states. It seeks to build a mutually-beneficial community supported by three pillars: political-security, economic & socio-cultural. The goal of ASEAN is primarily economic in nature: improving the mobility of goods & services within the region as well as facilitating trade with external partners. It was never meant to be a unitary political body similar to the United States or the European Union, hence the ASEAN Way: its emphasis on non-intervention in sovereign affairs & consensus-building. Because of this, ASEAN remains a mere potential to be a global force for change, particularly in areas of pressing regional concern like international environmental law & transnational criminal law, among others. This paper forwards recommendations in transforming ASEAN to more than just an Economic Community; rather, a leader of social change in the global setting. It focuses on cementing the ASEAN Way through more binding multilateral agreements, integrating various aspects of international law into meeting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It does so through the perspective of citizen engagement, particularly youth empowerment, in order to rally regional political support for these initiatives. It concludes that for successful development in the region to take place, law & governance must be inclusive for all.

The 2017 Marawi crisis was a colossal eye-opener for the Philippines’ security sector to re-examine its national response to the growing threat of domestic & transnational terrorism. This debacle of a siege, which lasted for five months, highlighted the unpreparedness of the government to promptly & efficiently address such attacks, & even moreso emphasized its continued inefficacy to prevent them at the outset. There are a number of factors at play in similar scenarios, one of the most important of which is the over-all comprehensive legal framework of the host state in tackling such terrorist threats. This introductory paper provides an overview of the Philippine laws applicable to terrorism, from the perspective of both domestic criminal law & transnational criminal justice. It discusses the legal concept of terrorism, its etymology, multiple definitions depending on jurisdiction, & various types as characterized by both the legal regime under which it is addressed & the social sciences. It discusses national legal measures to address terrorism in the Philippines, which include the Revised Penal Code, the Human Security Act & the International Humanitarian Law Act, among others. It provides a brief critique of each, & then presents a comprehensive critical evaluation of the Philippine anti-terrorism legal framework. Its conclusion, based on both ideological & practical considerations, proposes general structural support & amendments to the legal regimes applicable in the field of counterterrorism & preventing violent extremism, in order to prevent such crises as the Marawi Siege from happening again.

As the sole Southeast Asian country to be included in the top 10 of the 2019 Global Terrorism Index, the Philippines faces the continuous threat of terrorist attacks. It is counted amoung the emerging regional hotspots for violent extremism & radicalization, & violence is poised to affect its most vulnerable of communities. This chapter on criminal psychology, law & terrorism seeks to guide our uniformed officers in understanding the factors which lead to the formation of a Filipino terrorist mindset. It provides an analysis of the personal, sociocultural & political backgrounds of violent extremists, as well as the various methods by which they are radicalized & encouraged to commit acts of terror. By doing so, it hopes to lend agents of the law a unique viewpoint into the mind of a would-be terrorist, & spearhead law enforcement & criminal justice initiatives aimed at the twin objectives of prevention of terrorist acts, & rehabilitation of offenders. The first part talks about psychology & the counterterrorism legal framework, situating the terrorist mindset within the context of Philippine law enforcement. The second part discusses the possibility of profiling terrorists based on psychological testing. Finally, the chapter concludes by adapting psychological tools & techniques as recommendations to strengthen strategies implemented at the level not only of the community but also at the level of creation of strategic policy. Taking into account the unique positions of various law enforcement agencies, this introductory chapter seeks to provide a deeper dimension into their understanding of how the terrorist mind works, in order to assist them in properly & effectively enforcing the law.