ORMOC CITY-An 18-year old student died after he met in a road accident in Barangay Santissimo Rosario, Naval, Biliran on Sunday (March 3) at about 5:40 pm.

The casualty was identified as a certain Sabenorio, a resident of Puro Tugas, Brgy. Calumpang, also in Naval while the suspect was identified as a certain Lucion, 21, and a resident of Sitio Cogon, Brgy. Larrazabal, also in Naval.

Investigation conducted by responding police disclosed that the motorcycle driven by Lucion was travelling from south to north direction while Sabenorio, who was also driving a single motorcycle was travelling from west to east direction, and upon reaching the intersection, Lucion accidentally hit the motorcycle of Sabenorio.

Both did not have valid driver’s licenses during the incident.

The impact of the collision caused the two drivers to sustain injuries in the different parts of their bodies and were brought to Biliran Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

However, Sabenorio was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician Dr. Albrech Rico.

After the medical treatment, Lucion was brought to Naval local police for documentation and proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

In the wake of village execs killing

TACLOBAN CITY – Authorities are offering a cash reward to individuals who would provide information leading to the identification of suspects involved in the killing of two barangay officials and one tanod member in Barangay Daja Diot, San Isidro town, Leyte .

The cash reward, amounting to P500,000, will be provided by the provincial government of Leyte, under the direction of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, and the Police Regional Office 8 Regional Director, B/Gen Reynaldo Pawid.

PCpt Hazel Vacal of the Leyte Police Provincial Office information office stated that the reward system was established because they believe the community possesses crucial information that could aid in bringing justice to the victims.

“We at Leyte PPO believe that there is someone who can provide information through the reward system. But we are not just relying on that because we are still conducting interviews with possible witnesses,” she said.

Vacal assured the public that the identity of the tipster and the information provided would be treated with confidentiality.

Vacal also mentioned that investigations are ongoing, with a Special Investigation Task Group formed to focus on solving the crime, determining the motive behind the killings, and identifying the suspects.

Those with information are urged to contact the San Isidro Municipal Police Station at mobile number 09985986513, and the Leyte PPO at 09052500030 or 0917-623-5593.

On February 24, unidentified gunmen shot and killed Daja Diot village officials Elizalde Tabon and village councilman Paulo Al Mendero, along with village watchman Rusty Salazar, while they were inside the village hall attending a meeting.

The incident drew condemnation from various officials in the 3rd district and the province of Leyte, including Rep. Anna Tuazon-Veloso and her sister, 3rd District Board Member Marie Kathryn Veloso-Kabigting, as well as San Isidro town Mayor Remedio Veloso.

In response to a series of shooting incidents in the 3rd district, particularly targeting village officials, law enforcement authorities in the respective municipal police stations have been placed on heightened alert, with additional troops deployed to augment government forces.

The military has also sent forces to the district to assist in peace and order and security measures, supporting the Philippine National Police in conducting checkpoints.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The regional oversight committee on the barangay drug clearing program (ROCBDC), led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in this region, announced the clearance of nine villages on Samar Island from illegal drugs.

According to a statement from PDEA-8, the drug-cleared barangays include Banuyo in Borongan City; and Banuyo, Cag-abaca, Galutan, JP Rizal, and McKinley in Catarman town, as well as Binay, Monbon, and Sangay in Palapag town, all located in Northern Samar province.

Additionally, seven barangays have been declared drug-free, namely Gebonawan, Maghipid, and San Jose in Lope de Vega town; Maragat and Sangputan in San Vicente town; Seven Hills in San Isidro, and San Antonio in Catubig, all situated in Northern Samar.

Furthermore, 13 barangays have maintained their status as drug-cleared barangays. These include Anglit, Balud, Bulao, Burgos, Camabayan, Dolongan, May-it, New San Agustin, Roxas, San Fernando, Serum, and Sulod, all located in the municipality of Basey in Samar province.

Meanwhile, 34 barangays across Samar Island have retained their drug-free status following monitoring and validation by PDEA and the Philippine National Police, indicating the absence of active illegal drug personalities in their respective areas.

These barangays encompass Cagmanaba, Cahicsan, De Maria, Flormina, Hinabangan, Mirador, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, and Santa Catalina in Mondragon town, as well as Guindaulan and Kailingan in Rosario town, all situated in Northern Samar province.

In Samar province, the barangays include Cancaiyas, Balante, Baloog, Binongtu-an, Buenavista, Can-abay, Del Pilar, Guintigui-an, Iba, Inuntan, Loog, Mabini, Manlilinab, Mongabong, Old San Agustin, Panugmonon, Pelit, Salvacion, Sawa, Sugca, Sugponon, and Villa Aurora in Basey town.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)