Philippine authorities are keeping a close watch on the territorial borders in Mindanao to ensure that contraband from other nations cannot sneak into the country.

Aside from tight border security measures, the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a cooperation initiative established in 1994 to spur development in remote and less developed areas in these four countries, is also set to strengthen cross-border trade and subregional cooperation to combat illegal smuggling.

BIMP-EAGA said it could be done by harmonizing customs, immigration, quarantine, and security (CIQS) policies.

On November 5, 2025, the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao intercepted P43.5 million smuggled cigarettes in Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. It was found that the contraband allegedly originated from Indonesia.

During the 28th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting and Related Meetings press conference, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Undersecretary Janet Lopoz said one of the ways to address the problem on illegal smuggling is to formalize cross-border processes.

“One of the ways we address this kind of challenges is the formalization of our cross-border processes kaya meron tayong pilot testing nyan in BARMM particualrly in Tawi-tawi,” Lopoz said.

Officials from Malaysia and Indonesia also expressed support for the initiative.

“I think one of the aspect of enhancing the cluster of facilitation is for...especially to ensure a very smooth trading between our nation and eliminate whatever negative elements that exist in trade between member countries,” Malaysia’s Ministry of Economic Cooperation Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Zunika Binti Mohamed, said.

“While we are working the formalization of the CIQS (Customs. Immigration, Quarantine and Security) we look forward for a further cross-border trade,” Indonesia’s Regional Economic Cooperation Assistant Deputy Minister, Bobby Chris Siagan, added.