A Just Defense: Balancing Love and Duty

The Divine Mandate for Self-Preservation

Jesus’ teachings, often misinterpreted as a call for passive acceptance of suffering, are, in fact, a call to a higher love. This love, however, does not negate the natural instinct of self-preservation, nor does it preclude the use of force in just and necessary circumstances.

The Catholic Church, drawing from both Scripture and the wisdom of the Church Fathers and Doctors, has long recognized the moral permissibility of self-defense. St. Thomas Aquinas, for instance, argued that it is lawful to repel injustice, even by force, if necessary. This principle, rooted in natural law, is essential for the preservation of life, liberty, and the common good.

A Just War: A Necessary Evil

In the specific context of war, the Church has developed the doctrine of just war, a set of criteria to determine the moral legitimacy of armed conflict. These criteria include:

1. Just Cause: The war must be waged in response to a grave, lasting, and certain damage inflicted on a nation or community.
2. Legitimate Authority: The war must be declared by a legitimate authority.
3. Right Intention: The primary purpose of the war must be to restore peace and justice.
4. Proportionality: The harm inflicted by the war must be proportionate to the good to be achieved.
5. Last Resort: War must be a last resort, after all peaceful means have been exhausted.

The Philippines’ Right to Self-Defense

In light of these principles, the Philippines, as a sovereign nation, has the right and the duty to defend itself, its people, and its resources from external threats. This right is not merely a matter of national interest; it is a moral imperative.

To suggest that the Philippines should passively allow itself to be victimized, or that it should refrain from using force to protect its citizens, is to misunderstand the true meaning of Christian love. True love, as St. Thomas Aquinas said, “wills the good of one’s neighbor.” In the case of a nation under attack, this means using all necessary means to protect its people and restore peace.

By defending itself, the Philippines is not acting against the teachings of Christ. Rather, it is fulfilling its duty to protect the lives and dignity of its citizens, a duty that is both human and divine.