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Billions for Education, Yet Children Cannot Read: A Hard Look at the Literacy Crisis in BARMM and Mindanao
A Crisis That Can No Longer Be Ignored The latest results of the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) conducted at the start of School Year 2025–2026 have revealed a deeply troubling reality: a literacy crisis gripping many parts of Mindanao, particularly the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The data shows that several of…
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25 Master Cases of Smuggled Cigarettes Seized in Tawi-Tawi Coastal Operation
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — Authorities intercepted and seized dozens of boxes of smuggled cigarettes during a coastal operation conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard in Barangay Pakias, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on March 7, 2026. In a report released by the Coast Guard Station Central Tawi-Tawi (CGS CTT), personnel from the Coast Guard Sub-Station Bongao (CGSS Bongao), working…
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Soldiers, MNLF Communities Share Iftar in Basilan, Strengthening Bonds of Peace During Ramadan
LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — As the sun dipped below the horizon and the call to prayer echoed across the quiet hills of Parangbasak, soldiers of the Philippine Army and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) gathered around a shared table—breaking not only their fast but also long-standing barriers through dialogue, fellowship, and a…
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1 Killed, 4 Arrested as Authorities Bust Drug Den in Raid in Malidegao, SGA-BARMM
MALIDEGAO, Special Geographic Area–BARMM — A suspected drug den was dismantled during a joint anti-drug operation conducted by government forces on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Sitio Bundola, Barangay Nabundas, Malidegao, a Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that was formerly part of Pikit, Cotabato. The operation, carried…
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Hot Pursuit Operation in Lanao del Sur Yields High-Powered Rifle After Shooting Incident
MALABANG, Lanao del Sur — Authorities recovered a high-powered firearm during a hot pursuit operation on Wednesday evening, March 11, following a shooting incident earlier that day in Barangay Curahab, Malabang, that left a resident wounded. Joint operatives from the Malabang Municipal Police Station (MPS), the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Lanao…
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Two Arrested, ₱427K Worth of Suspected Smuggled Cigarettes Seized in Maguindanao del Norte Checkpoint Operation
DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — Authorities intercepted nearly half a million pesos worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and arrested two individuals during an intelligence-driven checkpoint operation along the Cotabato–Shariff Aguak Road early Monday morning, March 10. Police said the operation, conducted at around 7:00 a.m. in Poblacion Dalican, resulted in the confiscation of…
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₱47.6 Million Worth of Shabu Seized, 2 High-Value Drug Suspects Arrested in Joint Anti-Drug Operation in Tawi-Tawi
SIBUTU, Tawi-Tawi — Authorities seized approximately seven kilograms of suspected shabu worth ₱47.6 million and arrested two high-value drug suspects during a large-scale anti-illegal drug operation carried out by multiple law enforcement agencies in the island municipality of Sibutu on Wednesday, March 11. The successful buy-bust operation was conducted through the joint efforts of the…
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Nearly 300 Hand Grenades Recovered from Terrorist Arms Cache in Lanao del Sur
CAMP SANG-AN, Zamboanga del Sur — Government troops dealt a major blow to terrorist remnants in Mindanao after recovering 295 hand grenades from a concealed arms cache believed to have been hidden by members of the Daulah Islamiya–Maute Group in Barangay Piagolongan, Marogong, Lanao del Sur on March 11, 2026. The explosives were recovered during…
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Payong-Payong Driver Shot Dead at Public Market in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte
PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte — A payong-payong (motorized tricycle) driver was shot dead Wednesday afternoon, March 11, at the public market area in the municipality of Parang, authorities confirmed. The victim was identified as Kamar Minandang, a local payong-payong driver who was reportedly at the public market when the attack occurred. According to initial information…
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Loose Firearms Surrendered in Tawi-Tawi as Marines Intensify Campaign Against Illegal Weapons
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi — Several loose firearms were formally turned over to authorities on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as part of a strengthened campaign against the proliferation of illegal weapons in the province’s first district. The ceremonial turnover was conducted by the Philippine Marine Corps’ 4th Marine Rifle Battalion at its Rear Command Post in Barangay…