TACLOBAN CITY– Police authorities in Villaba, Leyte are still conducting their investigation on the killing of a lawyer on Tuesday(August 22) at about 4:30 pm.
Killed was Elmer Mape,52, who was visiting a farm owned by his father-in-law, former mayor Jorge Veloso, in sitio Patag of Barangay Calbugos, about 15 kms away from the town proper.
The local police said in its report that the victim was shot in his heart which resulted in his death with the suspect identified by some witnesses as alias Butchoy Oliverio.
The alleged suspect, said to be a former member of the New People’s Army, remains at-large, the police said.
The Villaba police said that while it could not pinpoint yet what could be the possible motive of the gunman, ‘several angles’ are being considered.
It, however, declined to say what are these motives being seen as the reason for the murder of Mape, who is from Cebu.
It also called on those who possibly knew the suspect to come out and help them which could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
Recovered from the crime scene were one empty shell of a Caliber 45 pistol, one slug of a Cal.45 pistol, and caliber 9mm pistol Glock 17, and one magazine of 9 mm loaded 15 ammunitions.
Lawyer Jay Viagedor, a friend of the victim, said that they were shocked on the ruthless killing of Mape who was only visiting the farm of his father-in-law.
The victim’s wife, Kathleen, herself a former municipal councilor of Villaba whose current mayor, Carlos Veloso, is a cousin of her father.
Viagedor said that they are calling the local police to hasten their investigation and arrest the alleged perpetrators.
“We are calling the police to conduct their investigation on the gruesome murder of (Mape). We hope that the real perpetrator will be arrested,” Viagedor said in a phone interview on Wednesday.
He said that they have some reservations on the real identity of the lone gunman considering that he was only identified as alias Butchoy, said to be a member of the NPA.
Asked what could be the motive for the killing of Mape, Viagedor said that they are seeing politics as a possible reason.
He said that Mape was known to be a critic of a former congressman in the district. Villaba is part of Leyte’s third congressional district.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Leyte chapter condemned the killing of Mape.
“IBP, as a group, strongly condemns the use of violence against lawyers and ordinary people. Also, the IBP as a local organization of lawyers, will ensure to protect the rights of its members while in the performance of their official/public duties,” it said.
It asked the police and other law enforcement offices to conduct a ‘thorough, proper, and holistic investigation so that the perpetrator will be swiftly and truly held accountable.’
The IBP-Leyte also issued its condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of Mape. (RONALD O.REYES/ROBERT DEJON)
SAMAR VISIT. Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go assured his continued support and assistance to the people of Samar. The senator made his commitment during his August 11 visit to the province as he was among the guests during this year’s Samar Day celebration.
The senator initiated key infra projects in Samar
SAMAR VISIT. Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go assured his continued support and assistance to the people of Samar. The senator made his commitment during his August 11 visit to the province as he was among the guests during this year’s Samar Day celebration.
CATBALOGAN CITY-Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has initiated several key infrastructure projects in Catbalogan City, in line with his commitment to help pave the way for development and progress in the area through continued collaboration with the local government led by Gov. Sharee Ann Tan.
The senator’s support in these initiatives as vice chairperson of the Senate committee on finance was highlighted by his presence during the ‘Adlaw han Barangay 2023’, a significant part of the Samar Day Celebration held on August 11.
One of these activities is the opening of the Tandaya Hall in Catbalogan City where Go participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony together with Gov.Tan, Vice Gov. Arnold Tan, BHW (Barangay Health Worker) party-list Rep. Natasha Co, Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy, and other local officials.
The inauguration was also witnessed by 24 mayors and vice mayors together with their councilors, and 951 barangay captains and their kagawads.
“Alam n’yo, parati ko kasing naririnig, ‘salamat Senador Bong Go’ sa mga proyekto… pero kami po ang dapat magpasalamat sa inyo dahil binigyan n’yo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagserbisyo sa inyo,” Go said.
“Kahit saang sulok kayo sa Pilipinas, pupuntahan ko kayo at magseserbisyo basta kaya ng aking katawan at panahon. Sanay ako sa trabaho. Umaga, tanghali, hapunan, kahit sa panaginip, nagtatrabaho ako,” he added.
Moreover, Go was also instrumental in the construction of the New Catbalogan City Hall, a new sports complex, and the Lagundi-San Andres Access Road. These projects, all under construction, are poised to bring in unprecedented benefits to Samar.
The new city hall will provide a modern hub for governance, streamlining public service and administrative functions. The sports complex will offer recreational and athletic opportunities, fostering community engagement and youth development.
The Lagundi-San Andres access road, once completed, will significantly improve connectivity within the region, reducing travel time, boosting local trade, and enhancing the transportation of goods and services.
For her part, Gov. Tan also took the opportunity to thank the senator and affirm some initiatives that Go did to help the province of Samar and its people.
“Mga kaibigan ko, kasama din natin ngayon na palaging tumutulong sa atin, hindi lang sa suporta niya sa ating Catbalogan Buri Airport na ating inilapit sa kanya nung panahon na pumunta siya sa atin noong tayo ay nasunugan dito sa Catbalogan noong 2018 kahit hindi pa siya senador. Pati ang ating Lagundi San Andres Road ay tulong rin yan ng ating mahal na senator (Bong Go). Ganyan niya tayo kamahal dito sa atin. Kasama din ang iba’t ibang mga kalsada at impastraktura, naging instrumento rin siya para maisakatuparan ang mga ito. Mula noon at hanggang ngayon, patuloy niyang inilalapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa atin. These are few of the contributions of the good Senator here in the province of Samar,” she said.
During his visit and provision of aid to fire victims in Catbalogan City in 2018, Go took action to address concerns related to Catbalogan Airport.
The local officials then approached Go, who was serving as Special Assistant to former president Rodrigo Duterte at that time, seeking help to hasten the land acquisition process for the airport’s enhancement. Go reached out to then Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to expedite the matter.
The senator’s impact extends beyond roads and buildings. The Malasakit Center stands as a testament to his care for the health and well-being of Samar’s residents.
“Ang pinakamalaking naitulong niya ay ang Malasakit Center. Bago pa lang ang mahal nating senator, sinigurado niya na maipagpatuloy ang pagbigay ng tulong at serbisyo sa mga pasyente dito sa pamamagitan ng Malasakit Center. Ngayon mga kaibigan ko, gusto kong ipaabot sa inyo na we are so honored and we really appreciate the efforts and support of our good senator, ang kilala nating Mr. Malasakit,” Gov.Tan added.
In the province, a Malasakit Center is located at Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City, one of the 158 such facilities serving the Filipinos across the country.
Aside from these projects, Go has extended his support in recent years to various infrastructural developments in the province.
These include the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in Basey, Marabut, Talalora, and Tarangnan; construction of a farm-to-market road in Pinabacdao; public markets in San Jorge, Talalora, and Tarangnan; evacuation centers in Sta. Margarita and Zumarraga; a seawall in Sto. Niño; and the acquisition of a dump truck in Jiabong.
He has also supported the construction of a multi-purpose hall in Tarangnan; road concreting in Daram; farm-to-market roads in Pinabacdao; shoreline protection in Tagapul-an; and a public park in Tarangnan.
Furthermore, he assisted in the construction and concreting of the access road from Liteon-Antol in Calbiga-an area under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict(NTF-ELCAC)-to Canlobo-Loyo-Magdawat-Pelaoan of Pinabacdao to Mabini in Basey. This road connects important tourist sites like Lulugan Falls, Kanyawa Cave, Macatingol Cave, and Sohoton Cave, among others.
Go further express his profound love for the people of Samar and his unwavering dedication to service.
“Tandaan po natin, minsan lang tayo dadaan sa mundong ito. Kung ano pong kabutihan o tulong na pwede nating gawin sa atin kapwa ay gawin na po natin ngayon dahil hindi na po tayo babalik sa mundong it,” reminded the senator.
“Ako po ang inyong kuya Bong Go, patuloy na magseserbisyo sa inyong lahat. Dahil ako po ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao, serbisyo po yan sa Diyos,” Go concluded.
LGBTQ+-FRIENDLY LGU. Biliran Governor Gerard Roger Espina said that he would draw a guideline for members of the LGBTQ+ members in the province to provide them more protections.
(Photo Courtesy)
LGBTQ+-FRIENDLY LGU. Biliran Governor Gerard Roger Espina said that he would draw a guideline for members of the LGBTQ+ members in the province to provide them more protections. (Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Biliran has expressed its desire to advance the fundamental rights of same-sex couples in the province, particularly in securing equal access to medical and asset sharing.
To attain this, Governor Gerard Roger Espina has called a meeting with the Biliran Bisexual and Gay Society JJC Naval Warrior and other officials of the province.
“Maraming pangyayari sa ating LGBT community na kung naospital ang kanilang long-time partner, hindi makadesisyon ang partner nila sa mga emergency health situation dahil hindi kasal. Ito po ang bibigyan natin ng linaw at solusyon bago matapos ang taon,” Gov Espina told the group during his meeting with them.
Espina added that he also proposed to provide a program that will give long-time same-sex partners in their province an option to represent his or her partners on medical urgent decisions through a signed agreement.
“Once implemented, this will be another innovation from Biliran that will give additional options to our long-standing LGBTQIA couples in our communities,” he said.
This plan of the provincial government was welcomed by the group.
“By advocating for equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, you are paving the way for a more inclusive and accepting society,” the group said in a statement.
“Your efforts are instrumental in ensuring that every member of the LGBTQ+ community in Biliran feels valued and respected. We are grateful for your leadership and support in promoting equality and inclusion,” the group added.
The group said that they hope this plan of the provincial government will result for a more accepting environment to same-sex couples “where everyone can love and live freely, without fear and discrimination or prejudice.” (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
ORMOC CITY– A heated argument between two drinking buddies resulted in a shooting inside a school in Culaba, Biliran on Friday (August 18) at about 7:30 pm.
The local police identified the victim as Abner Mondano, 65, and said to be the administrative aide assigned at the Culaba National Vocational School located in Barangay Virginia of the said town.
It was learned that the victim and the suspect, Hector Cariño, 61, were having a drinking spree inside the school campus when they engaged in a verbal tussle.
The suspect pulled a Caliber 45 pistol from his sling bag and fire the same to the victim who was not hit.
He managed to run away but was chased by the suspect, said to be a seaman, who hit him on his head.
Police recovered at the crime scene one .45 caliber pistol, one magazine for the said caliber pistol containing five live rounds, and one empty shell.
The suspect was apprehended and taken to the Culaba municipal police.
TACLOBAN CITY-At least 50 youths from Area 4 barangays of this city attended the first day of the two-day drug education activity held on Friday(August 18) at the Gymnasium of Brgy. 59 Picas, Sagkahan.
The activity which was held to inform the youth about the negative impacts of illegal drug use and involve them in efforts to combat it was organized by the city government through the City Youth Development Office in coordination with the Hiraya Foundation.
The attendees came from 14 barangays, namely 58, 59, 59-A, 59-B, 60, 60-A, 61, 62, 62-A, 62-B, 63, 64, 75, and 76.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Tacloban Office Officer-In-Charge and Investigation Agent III, Novemar H. Pinanonang, was the resource speaker for the event’s first day, which had topics on drug identification, the effects of drugs, and the salient provisions of R.A. 9165, and the important participation of the community in the problem of drugs, among others.
To highlight the “supply and demand reduction” efforts of the agency, Pinanonang also presented the drug situation of the city, which currently has 127 “drug-cleared” barangays and 11 “drug-free” barangays.
Based on the agency’s data from January to June of this year, it conducted 96 operations that resulted in the arrests of 127 suspects and 1 death, while 2 suspects remain at large.
Meanwhile, rescued during the operations were two male minors.
The overall total of the seized illegal drugs during the period totaled more than 676 grams of shabu and 209 grams of marijuana.
It was also learned that illegal drug shipments to the city pass through the 14 ports in the region.
According to the official, among the “ways forward” for the resolution of the problem are the active involvement of the youth in the anti-drug advocacy campaign in the communities and the continued implementation of the drug clearing programs in the barangays. (H.J.ROCA/TCIO)
SHELTER FOR REBEL RETURNEES. Top officials led by Tacloban City Mayor and chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council, Alfred S. Romualdez and Samar Vice Gov. Arnold Tan led in the groundbreaking on August 18 of a housing project in San Jose de Buan intended for rebel members who surrendered to the government.
SHELTER FOR REBEL RETURNEES. Top officials led by Tacloban City Mayor and chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council, Alfred S. Romualdez and Samar Vice Gov. Arnold Tan led in the groundbreaking on August 18 of a housing project in San Jose de Buan intended for rebel members who surrendered to the government.
TACLOBAN CITY – Former rebels who have returned to the fold of the law could now be assured of their new and permanent homes.
On Thursday (August 18), the construction of the ‘Saad nga Balay ha mga Peacebuilders han San Jose de Buan” in San Jose de Buan, Samar took place with officials of different government agencies vowing to provide the beneficiaries with needed assistance.
The groundbreaking was led by Mayor Joaquin Elizalde and Vice Governor Arnold Tan, representing Gov. Sharee Ann Tan.
It was also graced by Regional Peace and Order Council 8 Chairman Alfred Romualdez, 801st Brigade Commander Leinart Lelina, 87th Infantry Battalion Commander Luzelito Betinol, LtCol. Francis Rugayan, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Samar area manager Emilda Bonifacio, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Grace Subong.
The semi-concrete housing project is funded by the provincial government amounting to P2.5 million and the local government amounting to P1.5 million situated near the town center and will initially benefit 17 former rebels who were prioritized during the selection process.
These priority beneficiaries are former rebels who are residents of San Jose de Buan and have families but are homeless and do not want to return to their former communities.
There are 39 former rebels currently staying now in San Jose de Buan who are being supervised and assisted by the local government.
Prior to the groundbreaking, a memorandum of agreement was also signed by officials from the OPAPRU, DSWD, Office of Civil Defense, Technical Education Skills Development Authority, Bureau of Fire, Philippine National Police, Department of Science and Technology, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government, Provincial Government of Samar, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 543rd and 546th Engineer Construction Battalion, and Uswag Sinirangan Bisayas.
The DSWD also distributed cash assistance worth P5, 000 each for the 39 former rebels including food packs.
Before the groundbreaking was held, the former rebels were trained by the TESDA on carpentry, masonry, electrical wiring, and plumbing so that they can assist the army engineers, BFP, and PNP, in the construction of their house.
Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, the Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) headed by the OPAPRU and the Department of Agriculture distributed 13 hogs to the former rebels in the town who were earlier trained on hog raising at the 801st headquarters in Hinabangan town.
“This will be a big help to us former NPA members who have returned to the fold of the law and as try to live a normal life,” alias Milo, one of the beneficiaries, said.
He expressed his gratitude to the government, particularly the Army officials in Samar for providing them with their new homes.
Milo then urged his former comrades who are still fighting against the government to surrender and avail all benefits given to surrenderees like him. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
