Author: John Unson

John Unson is a veteran Filipino journalist who serves as a staff writer for the regions “Central Mindanao and BARMM” at The Philippine Star. He covers news and events in Mindanao — especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the broader Central Mindanao area. His reporting spans a wide range of topics including security incidents, terrorist-related developments, drug enforcement, smuggling operations, social issues, and regional politics.

Mindanao Regions

byJohn UnsonFebruary 9, 2026February 9, 2026

First Woman Army battalion Commander Lauded For Leadership In Davao del Norte
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Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading is praised by military officials and local leaders for exceeding expectations during her two-year command of the 60th Infantry Battalion

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The saying that the best man for the job is a woman could be aptly applied…

Mindanao Regions

byJohn UnsonFebruary 5, 2026February 5, 2026

BARMM Vaccinates 400,000 Children Versus Measles, Rubella
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Religious leaders help boost immunization as BARMM reaches 69% coverage in two weeks

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Health workers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have vaccinated more than 400,000…

Mindanao Regions

byJohn UnsonFebruary 1, 2026February 2, 2026

South Cotabato Gets Fresh ₱200M Melco Grant For Hospital Expansion
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Melco grant funds hospital expansions, continuing successful South Cotabato partnerships.

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines — The South Cotabato provincial government will receive a fresh ₱200 million grant from Melco Resorts (Philippines)…

Mindanao Regions

byJohn UnsonJanuary 31, 2026February 2, 2026

Hundreds Of Pregnant Women, Malnourished Children Get Aid In New BARMM Town
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Aid mission led by Bangsamoro officials targets maternal, child nutrition in Ligawasan

COTABATO, Philippines — Hundreds of pregnant women and malnourished children received food assistance during a humanitarian mission conducted on Thursday,…

Conservation Mindanao Regions

byJohn UnsonJanuary 19, 2026January 19, 2026

Upland Communities Plant Nearly 45,000 Trees In South Cotabato, GenSan

COTABATO CITY — Upland communities in South Cotabato and nearby General Santos City have successfully grown nearly 45,000 forest and…

Mindanao Regions

byJohn UnsonJanuary 8, 2026January 14, 2026

Bangsamoro Officials Slam Supreme Court Contempt Bid Versus 10 MPs As ‘Harassment’

COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro officials have slammed as “harassment” a petition for indirect contempt filed before the Supreme Court against…

Mindanao

byJohn UnsonJanuary 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Relatives Tip Off Police, 4 Suspected Drug Pushers Arrested In Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY — Close relatives of four suspected street-level drug pushers helped police carry out a series of entrapment operations…

Economy Mindanao

byJohn UnsonDecember 29, 2025December 29, 2025

Tawi-Tawi emerging as BARMM’s ‘new investment frontier’

COTABATO CITY — Business leaders and regional officials are increasingly pointing to Tawi-Tawi as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim…

Author: John Unson

First Woman Army battalion Commander Lauded For Leadership In Davao del Norte
:
Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading is praised by military officials and local leaders for exceeding expectations during her two-year command of the 60th Infantry Battalion

First Woman Army battalion Commander Lauded For Leadership In Davao del Norte

Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading is praised by military officials and local leaders for exceeding expectations during her two-year command of the 60th Infantry Battalion

BARMM Vaccinates 400,000 Children Versus Measles, Rubella
:
Religious leaders help boost immunization as BARMM reaches 69% coverage in two weeks

BARMM Vaccinates 400,000 Children Versus Measles, Rubella

Religious leaders help boost immunization as BARMM reaches 69% coverage in two weeks

South Cotabato Gets Fresh ₱200M Melco Grant For Hospital Expansion
:
Melco grant funds hospital expansions, continuing successful South Cotabato partnerships.

South Cotabato Gets Fresh ₱200M Melco Grant For Hospital Expansion

Melco grant funds hospital expansions, continuing successful South Cotabato partnerships.

Hundreds Of Pregnant Women, Malnourished Children Get Aid In New BARMM Town
:
Aid mission led by Bangsamoro officials targets maternal, child nutrition in Ligawasan

Hundreds Of Pregnant Women, Malnourished Children Get Aid In New BARMM Town

Aid mission led by Bangsamoro officials targets maternal, child nutrition in Ligawasan

Upland Communities Plant Nearly 45,000 Trees In South Cotabato, GenSan

Bangsamoro Officials Slam Supreme Court Contempt Bid Versus 10 MPs As ‘Harassment’

Relatives Tip Off Police, 4 Suspected Drug Pushers Arrested In Cotabato City

Tawi-Tawi emerging as BARMM’s ‘new investment frontier’

First Woman Army battalion Commander Lauded For Leadership In Davao del Norte

Shear Line, Amihan Bring Rains Over Luzon, Visayas — PAGASA

PNP Orders Nationwide Crackdown On Illegal Tobacco Hubs

Tawi-tawi Governor Lauds BARMM Chief Minister, Parliament Member For Swift Response To Bongao Fire

BARMM Vaccinates 400,000 Children Versus Measles, Rubella

Negros Occidental Placed Under Red Alert As TD Basyang Threatens Province