ur national security is Resolving internal armed conflicts confronted by challenges on remains our top security concern and a multiple fronts. Aside from key cornerstone of our peace and decades-old internal armed development strategy. The government is threats, there are emerging risks that pose committed to finding a peaceful socio- an obstacle to the attainment of national political solution to the twin threats posed unity, peace and stability, economic by a lingering communist rebellion and development, and enhanced ties with our Muslim separatist insurgency. However, neighbors and allies. The lack of national it must also be fully prepared to deal with and sector-specific security strategies to all eventualities, including the possible address current and emerging concerns failure of all peaceful initiatives. limits the ability of the Philippine in peace and in war, addressing the root government to effectively handle and causes of conflict and bringing the fruits manage these increasingly complex of development closer to conflict-affected challenges. communities should go hand-in-hand with O Both peacekeeping efforts on the ground. RESOLVING INTERNAL ARMED CONFLICTS REMAINS OUR TOP SECURITY CONCERN AND A KEY CORNERSTONE OF OUR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. [8]