he nature of security T challenges facing the Philippines is more complex today than in the past. These challenges include decades old internal insurgencies that have hampered development and kept the nation in a “NATIONAL SECURITY IS NOW EQUATED NOT ONLY state of low-level but debilitating TO THE TRADITIONAL conflict. The Mindanao conflict, in NOTIONS OF NATIONAL particular, has assumed a more complex DEFENSE AND REGIME and menacing form in recent years, SURVIVAL, BUT ALSO TO triggered by the internal splintering in the Moro movement and further fueled THE OVERALL WELL-BEING by Islamic State-inspired radicalism. OF THE CITIZENS, THE The five-month-long siege in PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC Marawi reflected this dangerous mix. DEVELOPMENT, AND THE While important peace inroads have PROTECTION OF THE been forged with the country’s largest non-state armed rebel groups, the quest for enduring peace in Mindanao ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.” remains elusive unless the smaller but decidedly more violent remnant and extremist factions are ultimately defeated. [3]