TACLOBAN CITY – Various groups and fellow journalists based in this city have intensified their demands for the release of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and two of her companions who have been detained at the detention facility here since their arrest on February 7, 2020.

The plight of Cumpio, 24, and her colleagues, Mariel Domequil and Alexander Philip Abingua, were brought into focus during the visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and Opinion, Irene Khan, on January 27, 2024.

“We appreciate Special Rapporteur Khan’s dedication to amplifying the voices of local journalists and civil society organizations on the global stage,” Jazmin Bonifacio, chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Leyte, said.
Bonifacio expressed optimism and resilience following Khan’s assessment of press freedom and free expression in the country during her 10-day visit, particularly in Manila, Cebu, Baguio, and Tacloban.

Following her personal interview with Cumpio, Khan took to social media on January 28, lamenting, “We are the only international visitors so far allowed by the #Philippines government to visit them! Arrested in Feb 2020, trial still dragging on. How long must they wait to be free?!”

“I implore the government authorities to review the case and either dismiss the charges or expedite the trial. Leaving young individuals to languish in jail sends a detrimental message to the youth of this country,” she added.

Cumpio served as the executive editor of Eastern Vista, an alternative news network in Eastern Visayas.

She previously held the position of editor-in-chief of UP Vista, the student publication of the University of the Philippines Tacloban College, and served as chapter coordinator of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Eastern Visayas Chapter.

Alongside four other companions, Cumpio was charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives after military and police operatives allegedly discovered firearms in the staff house where they resided in Tacloban.

Additionally, they faced charges related to terrorism financing after a sum of money was recovered during the raid.

Rights groups have denounced these charges as “trumped-up charges.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has acknowledged recent calls for the dismissal of the criminal case involving Cumpio and her companions.

“We appreciate the concerns expressed by your organization and the public regarding this matter. It is essential to emphasize that DOJ prosecutors are expected to maintain objectivity in their assessment and evaluation of the evidence at hand,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement on February 8.

“We are committed to ensuring that the principles of due process and fair treatment are upheld in all legal proceedings. The decision-making process within the DOJ is guided by a thorough review of the facts, evidence, and applicable laws, with the ultimate goal of promoting justice and the rule of law,” Remulla added. (RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY-In Palo, Leyte, A successful buy-bust operation led to the apprehension an alleged drug personality in Barangay Naga-Naga, Palo, Leyte.

Arrested during the sting operation, carried out by the provincial drug enforcement unit of the Leyte provincial police, was Arwin Plimaco, 41, a resident of the said village.

Seized during the 3:36 pm buy-bust operation were 11 sachets of suspected shabu, Col. Erwin Portillo, Leyte police director of Leyte PPO, said.

Among the items recovered from the suspect’s possession was one sachet containing the suspected shabu, acquired by an operative for P500. Subsequently, during a body search conducted in the presence of a barangay official and a representative from the local media, the authorities discovered ten additional sachets containing the same substance, weighing an estimated 2.9 grams with a street value of approximately P19,720.

Additionally, one P500 bill, identified as court-subscribed money intended for the operation, was also seized.

Charges against the suspect for violations of Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Article II of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against the suspect who is temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of Palo municipal police station.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – An ordinance proposing some updating of Catbalogan City’s local cultural inventory was tackled during a committee meeting chaired by Councilor Stephany Uy-Tan.

The proposed ordinance focuses on six tangible immovable properties and three intangible properties, as endorsed by the City Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Information Office (CTCAIO).

Tangible cultural properties, as defined by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), encompass items of historical, archival, anthropological, archaeological, artistic, and/or architectural significance, including antiques and natural history specimens.

Intangible cultural properties, on the other hand, encompass learned processes, knowledge, skills, creativity, and other manifestations developed and maintained by communities.

Among the six tangible immovable properties slated for updating are the Rizal Statue, crafted by Catbaloganon sculptor Miguel Alcazar in 1959, located within the city compound.
This statue features the bust of National Hero Jose Rizal atop his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, carried by three muscular figures.

Additionally, the list includes the St. Bartholomew Church, Pieta Park—a memorial for the victims of the Doña Paz tragedy,Samar Provincial Capitol Building, Imelda Park, and the Obelisk located in front of the provincial capitol building, which depicts significant events in Samar Island’s history.

These six tangible immovable properties are already listed in the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) which serves as the repository for all information related to culturally significant properties in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the three intangible properties are bulad (dried fish), tamalos (a local dish inspired by the Mexican dish tamales), and Bola Catalana (the city’s version of embutido).
Approval of the ordinance is targeted for April of this year for the three intangible properties, coinciding with the celebration of Filipino Food Month, and May for the tangible immovable properties, in line with the National Heritage Month celebrations.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– Tragedy struck in Sta. Rita, Samar, as a barangay kagawad and a young female balikbayan lost their lives in a road accident last February 8.

The fatal incident occurred around 9:15 am along the national highway in Barangay Bagolibas.

The victims were identified as Joel Cabutin, the driver, a village councilor of Brgy. San Isidro, Pinabacdao, Samar, and his passenger Maria Mae Mendaño, 26, a balikbayan from Switzerland residing in Brgy. Parasanon, also in Pinabacdao.

The SUV involved, owned by the provincial government of Eastern Samar, was driven by Lynjun Catalo,42, a resident of Brgy. Songco, Borongan City.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Romualdo Paca-anas, the case investigator, both vehicles were traveling in opposite directions along the highway.

Cabutin and Mendaño were aboard a MotoPosh Motorcycle with a sidecar, heading from Tacloban City to Pinabacdao while the white Toyota Hilux SUV (Plate No. A8Q-922) was en route to Tacloban City.

Paca-anas said that as they approached Brgy. Bagolibas, the tricycle veered into the opposite lane due to a rough section of the road, coinciding with the SUV’s attempt to switch lanes to avoid another vehicle.

However, the tricycle returned to its original lane just as the SUV was changing lanes, resulting in a collision.

Following the impact, the SUV veered left and struck a parked single motorcycle (Suzuki Smash with Plate No. 132HNT) along the shoulder lane.

While the SUV’s driver and passenger sustained minor injuries and were taken to Basey District Hospital for treatment, Cabutin and Mendaño were pronounced dead at the scene by the rural health officer of Sta. Rita. (ROBERT DEJON)