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DAVAO CITY , Philippines The communists are still the countrys top security threat, according to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

It is communism that is the number one threat. Because the communists here want to change the way of life of the Filipinos. They want to force their way even if they are outdated already, Esperon said yesterday.

The communists have been waging an insurgency since 1968 which the military said has claimed 30,000 lives to overthrow the government.

Aside from the communists, Esperon added the problem of illegal drugs, extremism, terrorism, corruption, secessionism and even the alleged destabilization plots, as among the other threats the country currently faces.

Illegal drugs because it is destroying the very fiber of our society, the very core, our families. Illegal drugs wastes so much of our resources, our Filipino values, our youth, he said.

Esperon stressed the brand of communism the leftist groups are pushing is an old issue.

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The problem with these communists is that they are still talking about imperialism when we are no longer a colony. They are talking about feudalism and fascism, when we are not fascists. I think the communists should also update themselves on what they really want, he said.

He said even China, which is the leading communist country in the world, has opened up to foreign markets and to the idea of capitalism.

Esperon however said that even if communists pose the biggest national security threat, there are political solutions to the problem.

He cited President Dutertes efforts to achieve lasting peace and unite the country under one flag.

Esperon mentioned in particular the resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Duterte restarted peace talks with the communist rebels that had been on and off for 30 years.

The two sides separately declared ceasefires in August, and the informal arrangement largely held as they continued discussions in Rome last month.

The communists terminated their self-declared truce after accusing the government of failing to release all political prisoners and encroaching on rebel-held areas.

Duterte replied by scuttling the peace talks and declaring an all out war against the communist rebels.

During his visit to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu last Friday, Duterte reminded the troops to expect an ambush anytime from the rebels.

Do not just leave your camps to stroll around, Duterte told the troops.

We have a resurgence of assassinations, Sparrows many soldiers have died. Expect an ambush anytime, Duterte said, referring to the notorious special partisan unit of NPA hit men.

The President advised soldiers to go out in groups and avoid being complacent about their safety. With Alexis Romero

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Communists still top security threat Esperon - Philippine Star