NATIONAL SECURITY AND PEACE IN MINDANAO

By Jose T. Almonte

Centrist Democratic Forum on Decentralization and Political Reform among Local Leaders in Northern Mindanao

Grand Caprice, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro

14 May 2011

Let me begin by stating my basic view of national security.

This may sound odd—coming from a professional soldier—but I do not regard weapon systems, however advanced, as the foundations of national security.

I’ve seen enough of conflict; and re...