ORMOC CITY-Two alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while a soldier was wounded in an encounter in Pambujan town, Northern Samar on Saturday (July 22) at about 12: 55 pm.

The dead rebels were identified as Jerry Lutao alias ‘Nadi’ and Brando Obiado alias ‘Idol’ and team leader of the front committee I, sub-regional committee emporium of the rebel group operating in Northern Samar.

Private First Class Perry Idanan was hit on his upper shoulder and is now in a medical facility and said to be in stable condition.

The two warring groups engaged in a 20 -minute firefight in sitio Badulan of Barangay Cagbigajo, a remote village more than five kms away from the town center.

The soldiers, who belong to the 19th Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col.Marvin Maraggun, were in the area to respond to an information that the 10-composed rebels were there to harass the locals.

The government troops also recovered three high-powered firearms-one 1M14 and 2 M16.
The bodies of the dead rebels were brought to the rural health center for their relatives to claim. They were identified by their former comrades in the underground movement.
Meantime, government troopers recovered three firearms from the rebels as a result of a separate encounter in a remote village in Catbalogan City, Samar.

The firearms were recovered by the members of the 87th Infantry Battalion after they engaged the rebels in Brgy. Bangon in the said city on Friday (July 21) at about 10:40 am.
The soldiers went to the area after receiving information on the presence of rebels in the village who were demanding financial support from the villagers.

The recovered firearms consisted of three M16A1 rifles, a hand grenade and several rounds of magazines.

During his visit to Northern Samar on July 14, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., has declared that he is confident that the insurgency problem in Eastern Visayas, particularly in Northern Samar, will come to its end by within the year.

Northern Samar is considered to be the ‘last bastion’ of communist insurgency in the region with only one remaining guerilla front operating.
(ROBERT DEJON)

NSSDEO, Brgy. Burabud, Laoang, N. Samar, – Northern Samar Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan attended the inauguration ceremony of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road (SPCR) project located at Brgy. Simora, Palapag, Northern Samar last July 14, 2023.

In his message, Gov. Ong thanked the people behind the success of the SPCR project. “To say that we are thankful is an understatement. Words can never express the immense joy that is in our hearts. I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the national government led by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., who advocates progress and development leading to the inauguration of the SPCR project. And to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, for ensuring the completion of the SPCR,” Gov. Ongchuan said.

Also, he stated that, as the SPCR completes the Samar Island circumferential road, this project will significantly improve the transport of the people and goods not just in Northern Samar but also in the province of Eastern Samar. It will greatly impact the economic development of our province as it will remarkably increase agricultural productivity of our farmers and fisherfolks.

Gov. Ongchuan for his part also expressed his thanks to the previous Duterte Administration for doing its part in providing big ticket infrastructures in the province of Northern Samar.
(LYCA MAE T.QUILICOL, PIO ALTERNATE)

TACLOBAN CITY—To improve the access road for the local villagers and for faster mobility of agricultural products in the habitats of Barangays Hibunawon and Parasan, both in Jaro, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP) has allotted P8 million for a road concreting project.

According to Leyte Second District Engineering Office (L2DEO), District Engineer Leo Edward Oppura, the newly- constructed road has a total length of 1.862 lane kilometers and is now being used by villagers.

The newly- paved road will uplift socio-economic activities in the community, allowing locals to lessen travel expenses in terms of fare and fuel.

The delivery of basic products and services to the community will also improve.

Motorists will also benefit from this newly-paved road. Speedier movement and safer travel while traversing the road network will make them more comfortable. And they will no longer endure the slick and muddy road, particularly during the rainy season.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY– Members of the Freedom of Debt Coalition (FDC) held a protest rally at the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez (RTR) Plaza, considered as the Freedom Park in the city, hours before President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. is to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday (July 24).

The group, which started their protest rally at around 9 am and ended an hour later, claimed that the Marcos administration has not done enough to improve the lives of the ordinary Filipinos.

“The one-year honeymoon with his administration is now over. And one year later, our situation remains very precarious with the ordinary Filipinos continue to struggle on their daily lives,” Gamalo said.

With this kind of governance, the group gave the Marcos administration, which is now on its second year, a failing grade.

“It’s a failure. Prices of basic commodities continue to increase. His promised of P20 per kilo of rice remain unrealized,” she said.

Gamalo also expressed their deep concern over the recently-approved Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) as a possible source of corruption.

“Why they have to railroad its passage and approval? We fear that it could just be another source of corruption and will not really help our poor people and our nation,” she said.

The MIF was signed into law by Pres. Marcos on July 18 as saying the measure was designed ‘to drive economic development’ despite of opposition by some leaders and sectors.

The protest rally led by FDC and joined by some students ended peacefully.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)