Ricardo J. Navalta – Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Attaché, U.S. Embassy Manila

Ric is a distinguished retired law enforcement executive with over 30 years of leadership experience in domestic and international operations, homeland security, financial crimes, counter-narcotics, counter-human trafficking, and transnational criminal investigations. He most recently served as the DHS and HSI Regional Attaché to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines, where he was the senior U.S. law enforcement representative overseeing DHS and HSI operations throughout the Philippines from 2018 to 2023.

At the US Embassy in Manila, Ric directed bilateral and multilateral investigations, led diplomatic engagement with senior Philippine counterparts—including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and Philippine National Police—and revitalized a unified law enforcement task force to dismantle transnational criminal organizations. He oversaw major operations targeting financial crimes, human trafficking, cybercrime, narcotics smuggling, and immigration fraud, while also managing the U.S. Visa Security Program (VSP) in close coordination with the U.S. Department of State, the Regional Security Office (RSO), and embassy leadership. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he remained deployed in the country, ensuring operational continuity and safeguarding the health and morale of U.S. and local personnel. His leadership expanded HSI’s investigative footprint across Southeast Asia, advanced U.S. homeland security priorities, and strengthened key diplomatic partnerships.

After retirement from DHS, Ric spends his time between homes in Makati and Angeles City, publishing informational videos on his YouTube channel and providing ongoing support for PhilStrats and its clients. He brings a unique perspective to the institute with his recent US government service, and maintains strong relationships in that realm as well as data sharing with a constantly-updated cadre of Philippine contacts and former local counterparts.