Compared to last year of same period this ‘03

TACLOBAN CITY– Cholera cases in the region shows a ‘slight’ surge as reported by Department of Health(DOH).

The health office the region reported that from January up to September of this year, it recorded 3,683 cholera cases, higher by about four percent compared to the same period of last year, or 3,556 cases.

Covering the same period, the DOH also reported nine deaths due to the water-borne disease: three each in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces; two in Leyte; and one in Northern Samar.

“We have monitored an increase, albeit a slight increase at just four percent, of cholera cases in the region from the period of January up to September 30 of this year compared to the same period of last year,” Joseph Pica, health program officer of the DOH-8, said.
He, however, stressed that out of the 3,683 cases that they have monitored, only 31 were confirmed to be cholera cases with the rest of the cases categorized either as suspected or probable cases.

Based on the DOH data, 2,996 of the patients, majority were children, were treated in the hospitals.

Pica said that cholera is a preventable disease though could be fatal if not detected or treated early.

He said that personal and environmental hygiene should be strictly observed by the community which includes proper washing of hands, especially after using the bathroom; ensure that the source of drinking water is safe and not contaminated with bacteria and if needed, boil drinking water for at least five minutes.

He also said that food safety should also be practiced like eating food while hot, clean all utensils, and cook food thoroughly.

“Also ensure that our surroundings are clean. We should always have a clean and healthy environment as it influences our overall health and well-being,” Pica said.

And for those who are showing symptoms of the disease, take Oresol and seek medical attention, he said. Among these symptoms include acute diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration.

An increase of cholera usually occurs during the rainy season as it contaminates sources of drinking water.

One can get cholera if the person has swallowed food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
(JOY A. GABIETA)

The Philippine National Police (PNP), in close coordination with GCash, has recently arrested a suspect who was using his online selling business to gain access to a victim’s private photos or videos for ‘sextortion’, an act of extorting money by threatening to expose sensitive materials.

The PNP identified the suspect as Ronald Hipol, 54, an online seller from Victoria Homes, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa. Hipol used a social media account under the name ‘Jerry Kantar’ to threaten the victim that he would circulate her sensitive videos unless she paid him P10,000. Hipol also managed to infiltrate the social media account of the victim’s father-in-law, to whom he sent the same threatening messages.

Unfortunately for the suspect, the victim’s husband is a police officer who immediately coordinated with his fellow law enforcers and GCash to track him down by luring him into receiving his money via e-wallet which led to the hunt down and arrest Hipol.

With millions of users and the end goal of financial inclusion, Gcash prioritizes the online safety of its users. While the country’s No. 1 finance super app continues to cooperate with law enforcement authorities against scammers and fraudsters, it also promotes public awareness of these cybercriminal activities so that users know how to avoid them. GCash is in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
GCash is also urging its users to be extra vigilant of online scammers and fraudsters. When making transactions on the app, users are reminded never to disclose their MPIN or OTP. With the rise in phishing incidents, users are strongly advised never to click links, especially from unknown senders.

For help and assistance, contact the PNP-ACG via their hotlines at (02) 8414-1560, 0998-598-8116, or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph

To report scams and fraudulent activities, visit the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us or message Gigi on the website and type, “I want to report a scam.” GCash will never send private messages to ask for personal information, especially the MPIN and One-Time Pin (OTP). Customers can also reach out to the official GCash hotline at 2882 for queries and other concerns. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY-Athletes from Borongan City bagged the 2nd and 3rd places, while other team members made it into the Top 10 rankings, surpassing over 60 swimmers from across the country at this year’s Swimjunkie Challenge Open Water Nationals held in Caramoan Island, Camarines Sur.

“Our athletes have delivered outstanding results… This marks a historic moment as it’s their first participation in a national open water swimming event, and they had only two months of rigorous training before the competition,” Rupert Ambil II, city information officer said.

In the Overall 2-kilometer Race Category, Mark Mabao Abogado secured the second spot, while Makmak Lebrilla claimed the 3rd spot.

In the Under 29 Age Group – 2-Kilometer Category, Brean June Oyo clinched the 2nd position, with Joeliver Turtal Casipong Jr. taking the 3rd place.

Clark John Yoseres achieved the 3rd position in the Under 19 Age Group – 2-Kilometer Category, while Emmanuel Celajes and Jan Cyril Celada made it into the Top 10 in the Under 29 Age Group Category.

Ambil said that national head coach Betsy Medalla had acknowledged the “remarkable achievements” of the Borongan swimmers during the event, emphasizing that they are the “team to watch in future competitions.”

“Their exceptional performance earned them the unique distinction of being the only team recognized on stage. This recognition is especially significant as they were competing for the first time and had just commenced their training program in July,” Ambil II added.

Borongan City was the sole local government unit that represented the Eastern Visayas in the prestigious swimming competition. (RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY– Police authorities are still conducting their probe on the discovery of a dead body found in Silago, Southern Leyte.

The still unidentified man, estimated to be 40 to 50 years old with a height of 5’7, was found floating along the seawaters in Barangay Hingatungan, Silago town at about 6:20 am on Wednesday(Oct.11).

When it was found, the body of the man was already bloated and showed burned skin, the police said.

Initial investigation conducted by the local police disclosed that a resident of the village, Yully Tayum, 38, found the dead body floating at the sea in the barangay.

But the police said that while observing the dead body they noticed that it was covered with bruises and hematoma in the different parts of his body while his feet were wrapped with a white sack, tied with a nylon rope which is connected to a sinker.

The police said that the victim was wearing a white t-shirt and gray printed long sleeves with collar, black pants with black garrison belt, a white towel was inside its left pocket and was wearing a silver watch. (ROBERT DEJON)