Category: News
3,000 Rally in South Upi to Support Detained Mayor Accused in Vice Mayor’s Ambush
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Around 3,000 residents of South Upi, a highland town in Maguindanao del Sur—many of them belonging to the indigenous Teduray community—gathered Thursday, May 22, to express support for their detained mayor, who is implicated in last year’s fatal ambush of the town’s vice mayor. The rally was held in Barangay Timanan, the
Bombmaker From Dawlah Islamiya Surrenders in Maguindanao, Vows to Help Deradicalize Others
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A bombmaker from the outlawed Dawlah Islamiya group has surrendered to the Philippine military and pledged to help convince remaining members of the terror group to return to the fold of the law. Badruddin Saligua Mundir, 35, known among local officials in Central Mindanao for his expertise in making powerful improvised explosive
BARMM Steps Up Monkeypox Prevention After Two Confirmed Cases in Maguindanao del Norte
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro government has intensified its information campaign on monkeypox prevention after two residents of Maguindanao del Norte tested positive for the disease. Six others are also in isolation facilities under close medical surveillance after exhibiting symptoms consistent with monkeypox. Bangsamoro Health Minister Dr. Kadil Monera Sinolinding Jr. told reporters on Wednesday,
Top Drug Suspect Nabbed in Cotabato City; P3.4-M Shabu Seized
COTABATO CITY – Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) finally entrapped an elusive narcotics trafficker and seized from him P3.4 million worth of shabu during an operation in Barangay Rosary Heights 3 here on Tuesday, May 20. The suspect, now detained at the PDEA-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) facility, is among
Historic Shift in Datu Odin Sinsuat as New Leaders from Noble Clans Take Office
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte — For the first time since the 1950s, the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat — originally named Dinaig — has new leaders from noble Maguindanaon clans that had long been excluded from local governance. Datu Odin Sinsuat now has a new mayor, Abdulmain Abas, and a new vice mayor, Bobsteel
Military, police praised for neutral, efficient role in securing Bangsamoro polls
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Newly elected officials praised the military under the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for their neutrality during joint election security operations in the May 12 polls in Central Mindanao. Reelected Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali Matabalao said Friday via text and Viber messages that his
SIAP Wins 31 of 40 Mayoral Races in Lanao del Sur
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Only eight of the 40 mayoral candidates fielded by Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo, or SIAP, the pioneer regional political party in the Bangsamoro region, were defeated in the May 12 elections in Lanao del Sur. Established in 1954, Lanao del Sur — which has 39 towns and whose capital is Marawi
Chinese Traders Hope for Growth Under New Maguindanao del Norte Officials
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Chinese traders were elated by the election of a governor in the fledgling Maguindanao del Norte province who can speak their language and a vice governor who is a businessman. Tucao Ong Mastura and Marshall Ibrahim Sinsuat were proclaimed the first elected governor and vice governor, respectively, of the nearly two-year-old
Election Watchdog Urges Voter Education to Curb Violence in Moro Areas
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — A nonpartisan election monitoring center covering Moro areas has recommended an education campaign on the criminal and civil liabilities of voters and candidates who misbehave during elections to help ensure safe voting in politically hostile areas. The Independent Election Monitoring Center, or IEMC, based in this city, was launched a week
Midtimbang Proclaimed Maguindanao del Sur Governor; Ebrahim, Macacua Thank Supporters
DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair and United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) head Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, along with Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, expressed gratitude Tuesday night, May 13, to supporters of Datu Ali Midtimbang, who was proclaimed governor-elect of Maguindanao del Sur by the Commission on Elections
Hofer, allies dominate Zamboanga Sibugay polls
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — Gov. Ann Hofer secured a second term as Zamboanga Sibugay governor, with most of her allies dominating the 2025 midterm elections. The Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed Hofer and her allies on May 13. As of May 14, with 99.04% of election returns canvassed, Hofer received 209,751 votes, defeating rival Board
Army kills wanted NPA leader in Surigao del Sur clash
COTABATO CITY — The Army’s 10th Infantry Division on Tuesday, May 13, commended local officials and indigenous leaders for helping locate a New People’s Army (NPA) official wanted for 23 criminal cases, who was killed in an encounter over the weekend in Lingig, a town in Surigao del Sur. Elbert Echavez, the alleged head of
