President Marcos is confident that his administration will be able to put an end to the local communist armed conflict in Eastern Visayas before his term ends, saying the government has been successful in dismantling armed groups.

In an interview in Tacloban City, the President expressed confidence that the peace and order situation in the country is getting better.

"Yes, I am, very [confident]. because I’ve seen the progress report, it’s getting better and better," he told reporters on Monday, May 20.

"I think the progress is sufficient, and, I think, we will be able to do it in the schedule that we have given ourselves," he added.

According to Marcos, Eastern Visayas, particularly Northern Samar, is relatively peaceful compared to when he last visited in July last year.

"Hindi na masyadong magulo kagaya ng dati (It's not as chaotic as it was before)," he said.

"Meron pa ring mga encounter pero (There are still encounters)... not in large number— at saka yung kanilang organization ay nababaklas-baklas na natin (we have been able to dismantle their organization)," he added.

Last week, President Marcos credited the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for the success of his administration's campaign against insurgency.

"Yung mga dating lumalaban sa pamahalan, imbes na nilalabanan natin, tinutulungan na nga natin (Instead of fighting the enemies of the state, we're helping them)," he said.

"Malaki ang naging epekto dito sa pagbawas ng mga internal security threat dahil diyan sa NTF-ELCAC (This has contributed greatly to addressing our internal security threat and that is because of the NTF-ELCAC)," he added.

The President reiterated his appeal to the rebels to return to the fold of the law.

"Pagka kayo'y bumaba at kayo ay itinigil ninyo ang paglalaban ninyo sa gobyerno, tutulungan kayo namin sa hanapbuhay ninyo (If you come down and stop fighting the government, we will help you in your livelihoods)," he said.

"Aayusin namin ang mga barangay ninyo para maganda ang buhay ninyo (We will fix your barangays so that you will have better lives)," he added.