Marcos gleams over peace in Tawi-Tawi but says mission 'not yet over'

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. commended the development of peace in Tawi-tawi which he described as the former "ground zero" for rebels. 

"Tawi-Tawi was the ground zero, dito ang takbuhan ng mga fighters dati, lahat ng mga kinukuha ay dinadala dito, tinatago dito," said Marcos during his visit to 2nd Marine Brigade at Marine Barracks Domingo Deluana on Thursday.

(This is where the fighters used to run, all those who are taken are brought here, hidden here.)

"Ngayon, imbes na naglalabanan, ang labanan ngayon dito pagandahan na ng resort," added the Chief Executive.

(Now, instead of fighting, the battle is now over which one has the best resort.)

However, Marcos said that the "mission is not over" amid other threats facing the country. 

"We transform ourselves from war fighters, we transform ourselves into now peacemakers," Marcos said. 

“Pagka ako'y umiikot sa ating mga kampo lagi kong ipinapaliwanag na nandiyan pa rin ang mission natin na kailangan labanan ang mga nagtatangka na pabagsakin ang gobyerno for whatever reason,” said the President.  

(When I go around our camps, I always explain that our mission is still to fight those who attempt to overthrow the government for whatever reason.)

Marcos made the statement amid claims of a supposed ouster plot. 

The President has already denied these claims and said that there has been no report that active police officials were planning to oust him from power.

Meanwhile, Marcos also distributed assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Tawi-Tawi on Thursday. 

Marcos provides aid to El Niño-affected farmers, fisherfolk in Tawi-Tawi | GMA News Online

He vowed that his administration is taking measures to ease the effects of the phenomenon to farmers and fisherfolk.

Marcos said the government intends to carry out more projects in Tawi-Tawi to preserve peace in the locality and the entire Mindanao region. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News