The pride of Rizal, Kalinga: One soldier's journey to the world's cybersecurity frontlines

FEATURE

"Every opportunity to learn is an opportunity to serve our country better."

For Major Jodan Malaggan Tomamman, those words are more than a personal belief—they are the compass that has guided his journey from the quiet community of Bagbag, Rizal, Kalinga to one of the world's leading institutions for international security studies.

In an era where wars are no longer fought only with rifles and tanks, but also through cyberattacks, misinformation, and digital espionage, Tomamman has embraced a new mission: protecting the Philippines in a battlefield that cannot always be seen.

His recent participation in the Hybrid Threats & Cybersecurity Course (HTC) 26-3 at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany is another testament to that commitment. Among 84 military officers, government leaders, and security professionals from 37 countries, Tomamman stood proudly as the Philippines' lone representative—carrying not only the Philippine flag but also the hopes of fellow Filipinos striving to keep pace with an increasingly digital world.

A son of Rizal, Kalinga with a mission beyond borders

Long before he represented the country on the international stage, Tomamman had already devoted years of his life to public service.

He now serves as Director of Intelligence C2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cyber Command, helping strengthen the country's capability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber and hybrid threats.

His leadership extends beyond the military. He also serves as President of the Kalinga Uniformed and Law Enforcement Alliance (KULEA) and President of the Scout Ranger Alumni Association–Kalinga Chapter, reflecting his dedication to mentoring fellow uniformed personnel and promoting professional excellence.

For Tomamman, however, every achievement carries a greater responsibility.

His selection to attend the international course was not simply recognition of his work—it was an opportunity to gain knowledge that he could bring home for the benefit of the Filipino people.

"Naniniwala ako na every opportunity to learn is an opportunity to serve our country better."

Learning from the world

The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies is regarded as one of the world's premier institutions for strategic security education.

Inside its classrooms, military officers, diplomats, government officials, and security experts from across the globe came together with one objective—to better understand the complex security threats shaping today's world.

Throughout the course, participants explored topics on cybersecurity, hybrid threats, information operations, resilience, and whole-of-government security.

For Tomamman, the experience was more than attending lectures. It became an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from the experiences of other nations, and discover new approaches to protecting critical information systems and national institutions.

The training reinforced an important realization: although countries differ in culture, geography, and political systems, they increasingly face common challenges in cyberspace.

Cyberattacks do not recognize borders. Neither does misinformation.

The solutions therefore require cooperation, continuous learning, and shared responsibility.

A different kind of soldier

Today's defenders do not always stand in trenches. Some protect military camps.

Others patrol coastlines. Tomamman's battlefield exists in the digital world.

Every day, cybersecurity professionals work quietly behind computer screens, protecting government systems, sensitive information, financial networks, and critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.

It is a responsibility that demands more than technical expertise.

For Tomamman, success in cybersecurity requires discipline, strategic thinking, adaptability, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.

Technology changes rapidly. Threats evolve constantly. The only way to stay ahead, he believes, is to never stop learning. Among the many lessons he gained in Germany, one principle stood out above all: Resilience remains the strongest defense.

Bringing knowledge home

The international course may have ended, but Tomamman's mission did not.

Every lesson he gained abroad now strengthens his work in helping secure the Philippines against modern threats.

He believes that national security today extends far beyond protecting physical borders.

It also means safeguarding digital infrastructure, protecting sensitive information, countering misinformation, and ensuring that technology serves society responsibly.

Although cybersecurity often operates behind the scenes, its impact reaches every Filipino—from online banking and government services to digital communication and personal data protection.

For Tomamman, these are not abstract concepts. They are part of his daily mission to help create a safer and more resilient Philippines.

A message for the next generation

Tomamman hopes his journey will encourage more young Filipinos to pursue careers in cybersecurity, national defense, and public service. He acknowledges that the profession is demanding. It requires constant study, perseverance, humility, and the courage to face challenges that continue to evolve.

His advice to aspiring professionals reflects the values that have guided his own career:

"Pagbutihin mo lang ang trabaho mo at huwag kang titigil sa pag-aaral. Build your discipline, integrity, and curiosity. Huwag matakot sa challenges dahil doon ka mas lalong lumalakas. Remember, serving in cybersecurity is not just about protecting computers, it's about protecting our nation and our people."

A Kalinga story that inspires

On July 31, participants from 37 countries graduated from the Hybrid Threats & Cybersecurity Course (HTC) 26-3, marking the culmination of weeks of intensive learning and international collaboration.

For Major Jodan Malaggan Tomamman, the ceremony represented more than the completion of another professional course.

It symbolized a promise to return home better equipped to serve. From Bagbag, Rizal, Kalinga to an international classroom in Germany, his journey demonstrates that excellence knows no geographic boundaries. It proves that someone from a small community can stand confidently alongside the world's leading security professionals through dedication, discipline, and an unrelenting desire to learn.

In an age when nations face threats that cannot always be seen, Tomamman reminds us that the country's strongest defense is not technology alone. It is people who never stop learning.

Because for him, every opportunity to learn is, indeed, another opportunity to serve the Philippines better.