The 21-day conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City in September 2013 centered on the seven highly dense barangays of Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Zone IV, Mariki, Kasanyangan and Talon-Talon. The armed conflict left over 400 persons killed, many more injured, billions of pesos in losses as the local economy came to a halt, 10,000 residential and commercial establishments burned or damaged, and more than 110,000 internally displaced persons. How do we "build back better" and create resilient communities? The Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Rehabilitation recommends rehabilitating the denuded mangrove areas in Mariki, Talon-Talon, Mampang, and Arena Blanco; delineation of a mangrove forest buffer to protect families from coastal surge; on-site redevelopment of the houses destroyed by the fire and artillery, this time with greater accessibility to services by improving local circulation and fixing the housing densities; resettlement of the coastal households exposed to tidal action to safer areas less than one kilometer away, with the approximation of their houses-on-stilts and restoration of access to their water-based livelihood. Priority is given to the most vulnerable displaced groups, such as Badjao and Samal fishermen. Social infrastructure such as schools, health centers, daycare centers, mosques, and madrasahs will be integrated in the settlements. The new communities will be more resilient because their exposure to tidal action and coastal surge is lessened; natural waterways and drainage are freed from obstruction, and their dwelling units are retrofitted to withstand coastal surges and strong winds. Protecting sea-dwelling families and the coastal environment enhances human security. The rehabilitation process ensures that conflict-affected barangays are integrated in the development of Zamboanga City, not isolated from it. Displaced families are key to ensuring human security in a post-conflict area. Their participation determines their communities' resilience against natural and human disasters. The recovery process showcases that various ethnic, religious, and socio-economic groups can peacefully co-exist through consultative planning and design of resilient settlements.