NEWS BRIEFS | 12 December 2025

Japan donates heavy equipment to BARMM

The Japanese government donated P536.9 million worth of heavy equipment to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as part of its support for peace in the southern Philippines.

The BARMM Ministry of Public Works said the donation consisted of 10 payloaders, 10 excavators, 10 dump trucks, 3 aquatic harvesters, 18 carrier trucks, 6 drilling machines, 6 mud pumps and 6 high-pressure compressors.

Japanese Embassy officials led by outgoing first secretary Asuka Ishizaka turned over the donation to BARMM Public Works Secretary Eduard Guerra in a ceremony in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao del Norte last Wednesday. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

Smuggled cigarettes worth P1.6M seized, 2 suspects nabbed in Lanao del Sur

Two men allegedly transporting 2,150 reams of untaxed Cannon cigarettes worth P1.6 million aboard a white Mitsubishi L-300 van were arrested at a police checkpoint in Picong town, Lanao del Sur last Tuesday.

Lt Col Jopy Ventura, PNP-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region spokesperson, said police intercepted the vehicle for carrying suspicious items.

Ventura identified the suspects as Waffy Abdul, 31, and an alias “Sod,” 17, both residents of Picong. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)