Sultan kudarat: The Japanese government, through its embassy in the Philippines, delivered PHP536.9 million worth of heavy equipment to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as part of its ongoing support for peace in the southern Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, officials from the Japan Embassy, led by Ms. Asuka Ishizaka, the outgoing first secretary, and Mr. Makoto Imamura, the incoming first secretary, turned over the equipment during a ceremony at the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) Area Equipment Motorpool in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. MPW-BARMM Minister Eduard U. Guerra received the heavy equipment from the two embassy officials.

In a statement Thursday, the MPW-BARMM said the Japanese government donated ten payloaders, ten excavators, ten dump trucks, three aquatic harvesters, 18 carrier trucks, six drilling machines, six mud pumps, and six high-pressure compressors. 'We thank the Japanese government for its ongoing support for the development of the BARMM,' the MPW office said.

The Japanese embassy officials stated that the equipment forms part of Japan's commitment to peace in BARMM.