Once a war zone, southern Philippines rebrands as tourist destination

Tawi tawi, Philippines: As rebrands go, the southern islands of the Philippines face what has to be among the toughest challenges. For a long time,...

Tawi-tawi, Philippines: As 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 Moro insurgents, including several radical groups that carried out kidnappings, beheadings and bombings in the name of terrorism.

With that conflict now abating, the island provinces of Bangsamoro - or nation of Moros - are pitching a new image.

Paradise, open for business.

If successful, this could be a path forward for one of Asia’s most beleaguered yet pristine and beautiful places.