Day: June 23, 2025

Marawi City: Authorities arrested a drug peddler and seized PHP13.6 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” in Marawi City, a regional official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Director Gil Cesario Castro identified the arrested suspect as ‘Alias Orak,’ 21, an alleged drug peddler from Molundo, Lanao del Sur. He was immediately apprehended during the handover of illegal narcotics between him and a PDEA undercover agent in Barangay Bangolo Poblacion, Marawi City, on Sunday afternoon. Castro stated, ‘We had been tailing him for several

Maguindanao Sur: Military authorities here reported Monday the killing of two suspected local terrorists, believed to be behind recent atrocities against civilians and soldiers in Maguindanao del Sur. The two slain terrorists were identified as Dawlah Islamiya (DI)-Hassan Group members Tahir Salim Suweb, 41, from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte; and Benladin Adi Kamid, 23, from Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur. According to Philippines News Agency, the two were linked to the hold-up and killing of three vendors of hybrid goats in Shariff Saydona Mustapha. The bodies of the victims were found in a shallow grave on May 30. Their

Ilocos Norte: Several farmers’ organizations in Ilocos Norte have partnered with the research and extension directorates of the Mariano Marcos State University and the provincial government to produce off-season tomato varieties this wet season. According to Philippines News Agency, each of the 18 farmers’ groups from this city and the municipalities of Currimao, Marcos, Sarrat, Bacarra, Burgos, Pasuquin, and Vintar have allotted at least 500 square meters as demonstration farms. This effort aims to ensure a stable tomato supply during the lean months and allow farmers to gain more profit. Engr. Chonito Baldovi, high-value crops development program coordinator of the

Manila: Australia indicated its support Monday for the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but repeated calls for de-escalation to avoid a wider war, saying “now is the time for diplomacy,” a local media report said. According to Philippines News Agency, Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, “The world has agreed Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon, so yes, we support action to prevent that, and that is what this is.” However, Wong emphasized the importance of diplomacy and de-escalation, urging all parties involved to commit to these efforts after Australia initially refrained from

Naga City: The government, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), has condoned over PHP111 million in loans, debts, and interest owed by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the six provinces in the Bicol Region. The ceremonial distribution of 6,665 land titles and certificates of condonation took place on Monday, attended by more than 5,006 ARBs at the Ka Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex. According to Philippines News Agency, the land titles and certificates awarded to ARBs cover approximately 9,141.2771 hectares of agricultural land. DAR Undersecretary Rowena Ni±a Taduran, who led the distribution, emphasized the agency’s commitment to supporting ARBs from