The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is thinking about banning AI bots for its officers. Why? Because there are worries that some AI, like the Chinese-made DeepSeek, could be a threat to national security!
What Happened?
During a big government meeting, Brigadier General Constancio Espina III talked about how AI is being used in the military. A lawmaker, Batangas Rep. Marvey Mariño, asked if the AFP had any rules about AI use. He mentioned that Taiwan has already banned DeepSeek in its government offices because they believe it could be risky.
Mariño explained that AI doesn’t just collect information—it also learns and makes decisions based on what people tell it. If an AI like DeepSeek gathers too much data from the Philippine military, it might figure out important strategies or secrets. And since China and the Philippines have some disputes, that could be dangerous!
“This isn’t just about spies sneaking around. AI can learn from us and use it against us,” Mariño said.
What the AFP Says
General Espina responded by saying the AFP already has rules that stop officers from posting confidential information online. However, since AI is a new technology, the AFP is open to changing its policies to protect national security.
“We need to be careful with all technologies, not just DeepSeek. Anything that can be used against us should be handled wisely,” Espina explained.
What’s Next?
The AFP is now studying whether a total ban on AI bots is necessary. If needed, new rules—or even a new law—could be made to protect the country. Meanwhile, General Espina and 35 other officers were officially promoted for their service.
This means that while the military is getting stronger, it’s also making sure that new technology doesn’t put the country at risk.
