The existing National Policy provides as follows: “The Philippines continues to be confronted with internal security threats coming from a protracted communist insurgency and a secessionist rebellion in parts of Mindanao, as well as the proliferation of partisan armed groups (PAGs). This is further aggravated by the existence and activities of the terrorist Al Harakatol Al Islamiyah (AHAI) or Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) with its links to international terror networks.