Former Philippines war zone rebrands as tourist destination

Colourful sails line the shore of Zamboanga City during its weeks-long Hermosa Festival.

Sat, 28 Dec 2024

By Martin San Diego, Rebecca Tan and Bobby Lagsa.Photography by Martin San DiegoAs rebrands go, the southern islands of the Philippines face what has to be among the toughest challenges.For a long time, these jungled islands were known as sites of war between the Philippine military and Muslim Moro insurgents, including several radical groups that carried out kidnappings, beheadings and bombings in the name of the Islamic State. With that conflict now abating, the island provinces of Bangsamoro – or nation of Moros – are pitchi...

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