TACLOBAN CITY– The alleged suspects in the killing of the sister of San Isidro Mayor Remedio Veloso were charged for murder and attempted murder before the Leyte provincial prosecutor’s office on Wednesday (Jan.18).
However, the suspects, identified as James Damayo, Archie Cosinillo Fernando, both of legal age and residents of Tabango town, and two other John Does, remain at large.
The suspects were identified through an in-depth investigation by the members of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) JB Veloso supported by a recovered footage from the closed circuit television, and in coordination with other law enforcement units.
B/ Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbel, the police regional director, commended the efforts of the Leyte police headed by Col. Edwin Balles in solving the incident.
“I am glad that these suspects are now facing criminal charges. With that, the families and friends of Veloso will be at peace knowing that the suspects of the death of Veloso will be brought to justice,” he said.
To recall, the sister of Mayor Veloso, Juanita,77, and his wife, Leleena, and driver Edmel Bacay, were cruising along a national highway in Barangay Libongao, Kananga on Dec.21 last year when they were fired upon by the suspects.
Juanita died on the spot while the two others were not hurt.
Mayor Veloso earlier said that he was the target of the suspects who thought that he was on the board of the said vehicle which he used as one of his service vehicles.
He claimed that the attempt on his life could be due to politics. (LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)
CATARMAN, Northern Samar– Flood victims from Mapanas town received food packs from Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go on Tuesday (Jan.17).
Sen. Christopher ‘Bong’ Go extended assistance to flood victims in Mapanas, Northern Samar on Tuesday (Jan.17). The senator, however, failed to personally give the food packs after the plane he was on board developed mechanical problem. ( BONG GO)
The senator, however, failed to personally hand in the food packs to the flood victims after the plane he was on board developed a mechanical problem.
“However, we made sure that the scheduled activities, particularly the distribution of much-needed assistance to the affected families, be conducted without delay. My staff had been on the ground in Northern Samar for several days already, assisting local authorities to address the needs of the victims,” Go said.
The senator’s outreach team proceeded with the distribution activity as part of Go’s dedicated efforts to help uplift the lives of Filipinos in crisis situations.
Held at the municipal gymnasium, Go’s staff distributed relief items, such as grocery packs, meals, masks, vitamins, shirts, and umbrellas to 500 disadvantaged residents.
In addition, they also gave away bicycles, cellular phones, shoes, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball to select beneficiaries.
Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development likewise extended financial assistance to the flood victims.
In his video message, the senator extended his gratitude and recognition to the provincial officials led by Governor Edwin Ongchuan and congressmen Paul Daza and Harris Christopher Ongchuan for their immediate assistance and action for the victims of the flooding incidents that hit the province last week.
“Nais ko pong humingi ng pasensya sa ating mga kababayan diyan sa Mapanas. Alam ko pong naghintay kayo, kahit ako ay nais kayong makita. Kaya naman sa abot ng aking makakaya ay sisiguraduhin kong mabisita kayo ulit,” said Go.
Flood victims from Lavezares and Catarman also received same food assistance from the senator. (EUGENE M. ENANO)
CATBALOGAN CITY–A rebel leader operating in different parts of Samar province has surrendered to Army officials together with 12 of his former comrades.
ALLEGIANCE. Former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) operating in different parts of Samar took their oath of allegiance to formalize their decision to completely cut their ties with the outlawed communist group. (ROEL T.AMAZONA)
The former rebels, led by ‘Ka Linoy’, who was the leader of the Sentro De Grabidad, Bugsok Platoon, SRC Sesame of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee, surrendered to Col. Lenart Lelina, the commanding officer of the 801st Infantry Brigade based in Hinabangan town, Samar on Jan.12 of this year.
The former rebels also surrendered their firearms consisting of 10 M16 rifles, two Cal. 45 and one Glock 17 pistol.
At least 93 of their supporters also decided to stop providing their support to the communist armed group.
‘Ka Linoy’ said the surrender of their firearms symbolizes their ‘goodwill and willingness to be integrated back to the society.’
More firearms are expected to be recovered as the surrenderees disclosed where they have hidden their firearms including anti-personnel mines which they often use when they stage their attack against government troops.
It was learned that the group of Ka Linoy belongs to the group of ‘Ka Antos’ which operates in the tri-boundaries of Pinabacdao, Calbiga, and Basey, all of Samar.
Difficulties living in the mountains and the military operations being conducted against them were the reasons cited by the former rebels for their surrender.
The implementation of the Provincial Task Force End Local Communist and Armed Conflict and the benefits they are to receive was also the reason why they decided to stop their armed struggle.
Major General Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan City, welcomed the decision of the former rebels to surrender.
“Their surrender only proves that they are fed up with the wrong ideologies of the NPA.
Also, this indicates that their trust and support are now shifted from the communist terrorist group to the government. With this, rest assured that the Army will assist them to avail the benefits under Enhanced Comprehensive and Local Integration Program (ECLIP),” he said.
And in a statement, Gov. Sharee Ann Tan said that she is glad that these former armed enemies of the government are now its partner in peace-building, especially in Samar province.
“We have reaped what we have sown. Our anti-insurgency campaign together with our ELCAC programs have proven to be fruitful. Today, we welcome another batch of former rebels who have returned to the folds of the law,” she said as read by Vice Gov.Arnold Tan during the ceremony.
“They are the witnesses of how the whole-of-nation approach has been effective, and how the government is sincere with its efforts to reintegrate them to the community, and liberate them from the false promises of the communist terrorist group,” Tan added.
“We saw a sharp decline in the number of NPA members, and we are excited to see our province insurgency-free. By then, our problem on peace and order will no longer hinder our progress. And we hope to achieve our aspiration in the near future,” the governor added.
The former rebels are now in the custody of the military as they wait for the processing of the needed documents for them to avail benefits entitled to rebel returnees. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY-Six sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu were recovered from a fish vendor during a buy-bust operation at about 5:42 pm Tuesday (Jan. 17) in Calbayog City.
The suspect was identified as Cresente Boque, 47, and a resident of P-5, Barangay Balud in the said city.
Recovered from his possession was one sachet containing of suspected shabu procured by an operative in the amount of P500.
During a body search in front of barangay officials and media representatives, the police recovered five more sachets containing the suspected prohibited drugs with a street value of P2500.
Charges of violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against illegal drugs, were filed at the City Prosecutors Office on Wednesday (an.18) against the suspect who is temporarily detained at the detention cell of Calbayog CPS. (ROBERT DEJON)
TACLOBAN CITY– Free live birth registration will be offered in February by the Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO) here.
It is an annual event in keeping with Civil Registration Month in February, according to the city’s civil registrar, Imelda Roa.
During the said activity, Roa claims that they will accept free registrations from both late and no-late registrants who were born in Tacloban City.
Late registration requirements include a baptismal certificate and the earliest school record. Applicants also don’t have to secure a PSA Negative Result, as the office will process it through its omnibus verification procedure.
The activity is tentatively scheduled for the third week of February.
Meanwhile, the yearly Kasalang Bayan, or mass civil wedding, will be held this year in June and November to give the office enough time to prepare.
But as early as now, the office is accepting applications for the free mass civil wedding.
Unwed couples in Tacloban City who have been living for at least 5 years can inquire at the CCRO, located on the 2nd Floor of the MTCC Building, Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City. (H.J. ROCA/CIO)
NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, Northern Samar– The Department of Public Works and Highways, Northern Samar Second District Engineering Office headed by District Engineer Charlito S. Carlobos has completed the construction of an evacuation center which provides the residents of Barangay Roxas and Hitapian in Catubig town a safe place in times of calamities.
This project has a contract cost of P9.899 million funded under GAA CY 2022 contracted by G7 Construction and is supervised by NSSDEO Project Engineer Carlos Paulo Perfecto.
The said evacuation center has a land area of 16×13-meter with complete roof framing works, plumbing and electrical works. The other scope of works includes earthworks, reinforced concrete finishing works which includes termite control works, masonry, fabricated materials and roofing.
This evacuation center can be utilized as emergency relocation or temporary shelter for displaced families during disasters like typhoons and flooding.
It can also provide the residents of Barangay Roxas and other nearby communities a convenient place for sports and other socio-cultural and recreational activities.
Moreover, District Engineer Carlobos said it can also be utilized as a venue for trainings and seminars and other social events in the community. (RHODORA R. PUJANTE, PIO STAFF)
