ORMOC CITY-Two teeners died on the spot after they were hit by a vehicle driven by a non-uniformed police personnel in Catbalogan City Sunday night.
Killed were Rod Solayao,18 and the driver of the motorcycle, and his companion, Kathlyn Albos,15 while the driver of the vehicle that hit the victims was Joel Fermace,49 who is assigned in San Jorge town, also in Samar.
Based on the report from the regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Palo, Leyte, the two victims were traversing along Barangay Pupua, Catbalogan City, at about 6:30 pm when they were hit by the pick-up vehicle driven by Fermace.
Fermace overtook a vehicle in front of him which resulted for him to hit the motorcycle where the two victims were riding.
The two teeners died on the spot though they were brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital due to the severe injuries that they sustained.
The suspect is now detained at the Catbalogan city police station and charged for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, the report said. (ROBERT DEJON)
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun is the new battalion commander of the 19th IB based in Catubig, Northern Samar, replacing Lt. Col. Fernando Engcot. The Feb.23,2023 turnover ceremony was presided by Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division.
(Photo Courtesy)
CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City-The 19th Infantry “Commando” Battalion, Philippine Army based in Catubig, Northern Samar welcomes its new battalion commander in a change of command ceremony, on Thursday, February 23, 2023.
Lt. Col. Marvin Maraggun is the new battalion commander of the 19th IB based in Catubig, Northern Samar, replacing Lt. Col. Fernando Engcot. The Feb.23,2023 turnover ceremony was presided by Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division. (Photo Courtesy)
The ceremony was presided over by 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division Commander, Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, and installed Lieutenant Colonel Marvin Maraggun as the new commander of the 19IB in place of Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Engcot.
Lt. Col. Engcot served as the battalion commander for two-years and greatly contributed to the counter-insurgency campaign of the 8ID.
In his message, Major General Ligayo congratulated and expressed his appreciation to Lt. Col. Engcot’s effective operational command to the unit.
“You personally led and supervised your troops in combat operations and you effectively implemented dynamic modernization in the administration of personnel, logistics, proper utilization of the unit’s resources and many more. I fully appreciate your efforts in taking good care of the commando battalion,” Ligayo said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Maraggun accepted the challenge as the unit’s new commanding officer and pledged to maintain the unit’s momentum and gains, particularly in the fight against communist terrorist groups (CTGs).
“The battalion will continue to be more proactive and aggressive in fulfilling its task in tandem with the local government and our stakeholders, rest assured that we will continue to work and collaborate with our dedicated and untiring partners to facilitate peace and development especially in the Geographically Disadvantage and Isolated Areas (GIDA),” Maraggun stated.
Maj. Gen. Ligayo also urged Lt. Col. Maraggun to continue the efforts and reforms started by his predecessor and to innovate as needed. He also assured the new leadership that the 8ID will be fully supportive in all of his efforts.
“Your vast operational and administrative experiences will definitely help you sustain the progressive efforts of the men under you. I also enjoin you to put in mind our thrust of transparency and good governance, and to intensified stakeholder engagements to support the command’s effort in achieving our mission,” Ligayo added. (PR)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the region is ready to offer driving course across the region for free.
This was disclosed by Louie Ponferrada of the LTO-8 during a gathering Sunday (Feb. 26) of riders’ group.
Ponferrada also mentioned the collaboration of D’ Marshall Riders and the LTO for a free theoretical driving course (TDC) seminar.
“Kay kun diri kamo kumbaga naka-afford pagkuha hito nga TDC ha mga private driving school kay medyo mahal-mahal ito hiya, kun diri ako nagsasayop mga around P1,500 ito nga TDC. Na-cater kami hito free,” he said.
Additionally, instead of applicants travelling all the way to the city to attend the seminar, the LTO representatives and D’ Marshall riders proposed that they would be the one to visit the respective barangays and/or provinces with at least 100 applicants.
Ponferrada also explained that the lecture will be compressed to just two days–
“That is a two-day seminar. Mayda hito exam, damulaay ito, kay that is a 16-hour lecture. Actually, kumbaga ha lecture, three days ito hiya pero gin compress namon, ginhimo nala namon nga two (2) days. An amon mostly nala nga gindi-discuss hiton, importante nala hin duro,” he said.
The target location for the TDC seminar has not yet been decided as there is still a lack of participants.
Ponferrada advises interested participants to communicate with D’ Marshall Riders Philippines, Inc. founder, Alan Tanjuakio.
Tanjuakio as well has offered manpower of his fellow riders for this activity in scouting for participants. (SAMANTHA JANE B. CRUZ, LNU Student Intern)
Manila-The United States government, through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), supported the development of the Philippines’ strategic trade e-licensing platform to help prevent the illicit movement of material used for military purposes or for the production of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Funded by DTRA’s Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program and administered by the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry-Strategic Trade Management Office (DTI-STMO), this e-licensing platform will serve as a single platform for all strategic trade-related services, making transactions more efficient, transparent, and secure. It also aims to strengthen the Philippines’ export trade controls, increase counter proliferation financing, and position the Philippines as a regional leader in strategic trade management.
DTRA CTR provided hardware, software, and training for the creation and implementation of this platform as part of a larger P1.65 billion ($30 million) Cooperative Threat Reduction Integrating Contract focusing on DTRA’s Biological Threat Reduction and Chemical Security and Elimination programs.
“The launch of the platform is a significant stage in monitoring and controlling trade in the specified strategic goods,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said during the e-platform’s launch on February 20. “We aim to balance facilitating legitimate trade and maintaining international peace and security, and we want to trade in tools while ensuring that these tools are not used as weapons. The STMO e-licensing platform is a way forward in responsibly managing strategic goods and providing related services.”
Secretary Pascual further emphasized that the management of weapons of mass destruction, as well as other arms proliferation challenges, are part of the Philippines’ international obligations in pursuing peace and security.
“DTRA CTR values its longstanding partnership with the Philippine government in preventing the proliferation of WMDs and related materials and delivery systems,” DTRA Chemical Security and Elimination Program Manager Michelle Nalabandian said.
“We are pleased to partner with DTI-STMO to develop and implement this platform which we believe will have a positive impact on strategic trade management within the ASEAN region.” (PR)
An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily returned to the fold of the law and handed over his firearm to PLt. Col. Rolando C. Dellezo, force commander of 2nd Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Barangay Buenavista, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar on February 23, 2023.
The former rebel was identified as alias ‘Rino’, a PSR listed and member of the Regional Guerilla Unit (RGU) operating in the towns of Samar and Easter Samar.
According to his revelation, he is a nephew of NPA Secretary Gavino Guarino alias ‘Ka Mael’ and was involved who attacked the Quinapondan municipal police station on 2003.
He turned in a Caliber 45 pistol with defaced markings; one magazine assembly; and six 45 live ammunitions.
The surrender was facilitated by the operatives of 2nd ESPFMC and 805th Maneuver Company of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB 8).
“After series of negotiations, the former rebel decided to return to the folds of law with the support of the above-mentioned units. We wish to achieve peace and progress with every Filipino and we want to walk as united nation, in our journey towards peace and prosperity,” PLt. Col. Dellezo said.
Said communist terrorist group member is now under the custody of 2nd ESPMFC for documentation and proper disposition while further verification in all courts is now being facilitated for any possible standing warrant of arrest and for him to avail the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip). (PR)
Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., leads the oath-taking of Army reservists Leyte 4th District Representative Richard I. Gomez and his wife Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres Gomez at the headquarters of the Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio on February 23, 2023.
Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., leads the oath-taking of Army reservists Leyte 4th District Representative Richard I. Gomez and his wife Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres Gomez at the headquarters of the Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio on February 23, 2023.
TACLOBAN CITY– Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez and his wife Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres Gomez both received the Lieutenant Colonel rank in the Army’s Reserve force during a commissioning ceremony on Fb.23 at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.
Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, the commanding general of the Army Gomez for not only his being an accomplished actor, athlete, and public servant but also for further establishing the face of the Philippine Army in the eyes of the public.
He also cited the achievements of Lt. Col. Lucy Marie Torres Gomez as a public servant and as an actress.
”You are not only exemplars of professionalism but you are also instrumental in the accomplishment of our vision of becoming a world-class, multi-mission ready, and cross-domain capable Army,” Lt. Gen. Brawner said during the ceremony.
In his message, Rep. Gomez said that he feels honored and privileged being part of the Army reserve force.
“Sa pagpapaganda at pagpapaunlad ng bayan natin, magkakasama tayo rito. Let us continue to make sure that this country will grow. Let us continue to make sure that our country will be peaceful through our efforts,” he said.
Torres-Gomez, for her part, said that now that they are now part of the service, she vowed that she will be with the AFP not just by name but in thought and in deed.
“If there is anything that I can do in my personal capacity and my official capacity, please know that I am here for you,” she said.
Meantime, Major Gen. Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, thanked the Gomez couple for supporting the development and security operations of the Philippine Army.
“The government’s objective of ending the local communist armed conflict is highly commendable. Together, we are getting closer to realizing our dreams of reaching long-term peace,” he said. (ROEL T. AMAZONA/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
