WATCH: 'What do you get from fighting?' Duterte asks rebels

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday arrived in Zamboanga City to lead a command conference with the Western Mindanao Command. In Basilan, he addressed the troops and the Moro people, while also directing his message to Abu Sayyaf bandits who has been the target of years-long military operations in Mindanao.

"We're trying to solve it so if you cannot stop fighting, do not hate more because wala talagang mangyayari because wala talagang mangyayari," he said.

In his message, Duterte spoke bluntly about violence and pleaded for peace.