Philippine News

Intergovernmental Aid

Can You Legally Carry a Gun in Bangsamoro? — The Law on Unregistered Firearms, Security Companies, and Private Armies (Part 3 of 4)

Unregistered firearms are illegal in BARMM just as elsewhere in the Philippines. We explain the rules on gun registration, security company staffing caps, and why politicians' and clans' private armies are not legally permitted.
Cultural Exchange

Building the “Okinawa Brand” in the Philippines — The Story of PUOA’s Partnership with the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation

How the Philippine Uchinanchu Okinawa Association (PUOA) and the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation have partnered on food festivals, cultural events, and diplomatic outreach to build the Okinawa brand in the Philippines.
Embassy of Japan

The Narita Summit Between the President and the MILF Chairman — How Japan Supported the Peace Negotiations (Part 3 of 4)

How Japan's development work through J-BIRD and the IMT earned it the trust to help arrange the historic 2011 Narita meeting between President Aquino and MILF Chairman Murad — a turning point on the road to the 2014 Bangsamoro peace agreement.
Intergovernmental Aid

Does Bangsamoro Have Its Own Police, Military, or Currency? — Where Authority Over Land and Currency Sits with the Central Government (Part 2 of 4)

Does BARMM have its own police or military? We explain the roles of PRO BAR and the armed forces, the Torrens land registration system, and the circulation of currencies other than the Philippine peso, covering the region's security, land, and currency systems.
Philippine News

Severe Thunderstorms Hit Metro Manila, Flood Warning Issued

PAGASA issued a Red rainfall warning for Metro Manila on August 8, 2026, as an intensified southwest monsoon brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flood risk to low-lying areas.
Embassy of Japan

Sending Development Experts to the Ceasefire Monitoring Team — J-BIRD and “Unarmed Peacekeeping” (Part 2)

Why did Japan send JICA development experts, not soldiers, to the Mindanao International Monitoring Team? An explanation of J-BIRD, the peace dividend, support through schools, wells, and farm roads, and why Japan didn't withdraw even after the 2008 collapse of the peace talks.
Embassy of Japan

Why Did Japan Engage in the Bangsamoro Peace Process? — From the MNLF Peace Agreement to the Launch of J-BIRD (Part 1)

Why did the Japanese government and JICA become involved in the Bangsamoro peace process in the southern Philippines? A timeline covering the MNLF peace agreement, human security, Sadako Ogata, the Mindanao Support Package, and the launch of J-BIRD.
Intergovernmental Aid

What Is the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government? — How It Differs from an Ordinary Philippine Local Government (Part 1 of 4)

How does BARMM differ from an ordinary local government? A detailed look at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Government's fiscal system, including the 75% national tax-sharing exception, the Annual Block Grant, and the 50-billion-peso Special Development Fund.
Philippine News

Today’s Philippine Weather: Tropical Storm Maymay (JMA Name: Kujira) Crosses Luzon, Heavy Rain Continues in Manila

PAGASA update on Tropical Storm Maymay (JMA name: Kujira), which crossed northern Luzon on August 5-6, 2026, bringing heavy rain, storm signals, and continued southwest monsoon rainfall to Manila and surrounding provinces.
Philippine News

Today’s Philippine Weather: Typhoon No. 14 “Maymay” (Kujira) Forms, Heavy Rain Expected in Luzon

PAGASA/JMA update on Typhoon No. 14 Kujira (Philippine name: Maymay), which formed over the South China Sea on August 5, 2026, and was expected to bring heavy rain to Luzon and Metro Manila.