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)
Achieving lasting peace and unity in the Philippines has been a challenging journey toward granting amnesty to rebel returnees.
Armed conflicts and insurgencies have caused immense suffering for many years and hindered the nation’s progress. The government’s reintegration programs and amnesty seek to break the cycle of violence and create a pathway for individuals to reintegrate into society as productive citizens.
Although the decision to grant amnesty has its critics and challenges, proponents believe it offers an opportunity for healing, reconciliation, and second chances.
The government aims to create an environment conducive to national unity by allowing rebels to lay down their arms and embrace a peaceful life.
One inspiring success story of the reintegration efforts is the transformation of “Ka Jun”, a former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front.
Once a member of an insurgent group, Ka Jun chose to surrender his arms and embrace the government’s reintegration offer. Through the comprehensive support provided by the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, Jun received financial and psychological aid and accessible housing.
Today, he is a successful farmer in Nueva Ecija, providing for his family and contributing to his community’s prosperity. His story serves as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of these programs in changing lives and inspiring hope for a better future.
The success of the reintegration programs can be attributed to the comprehensive and holistic approach taken by the government.
Financial assistance helps rebel returnees meet immediate needs, while livelihood support and skills training enables them to pursue sustainable sources of income. Psychosocial interventions are also critical, as they address the trauma and challenges associated with transitioning from a life of conflict to one of peace.
Moreover, the government recognizes that reintegration cannot happen in isolation. To address the root causes of conflict, the Barangay Development Program invests in the development of local communities.
The government aims to create an environment where conflict is less likely to occur by improving infrastructure, providing education and healthcare, and promoting economic opportunities. This bottom-up approach empowers communities to become stakeholders in their development and active participants in fostering lasting peace. (PR)
SURFING COMPETITION. The town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar will play host to a national surfing competition next month. The said competition, to be held in Calicoan Island. (Photo Courtesy)
TACLOBAN CITY– At least 200 surfers from all over the country are expected to troop to Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar next month.
SURFING COMPETITION. The town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar will play host to a national surfing competition next month. The said competition, to be held in Calicoan Island. (Photo Courtesy)
These surfers will compete for the Calicoan Odyssey Wave 2023, the second leg of NextGen Pilipinas Surfing Nationals 2023 sanctioned by the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), according to Kinna Kwan, Guiuan town municipal administrator.
UPSA is the national sports body for surfing in the Philippines and is recognized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee regular member.
This event is organized by the local government unit of Guiuan, UPSA, and the local surfing organizations of Calicoan Island and Eastern Samar; ABCD Surf Calicoan Local Surfers Samrayan Surfboards, The Backyard SURF CO., and the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar Inc.
The competition is scheduled from September 15 to 21 at the ABCD Beach, the best surfing site in Calicoan known for its left-handed and right-handed reef breaks.
Kwan said that the Calicoan Odyssey Wave 2023 will start with the orientation and beach clean-up activity on Sept.14 and will be followed by the opening of the surfing competition on the 15th and awarding ceremony on the 20th, then a beach clean-up the following day.
Kwan added that more than P600,000 cash prizes are stakes for winners of the four categories in the competition.
Winners in the male and female categories will be receiving the same cash amount.
For the men’s and women’s open shortboard categories, winners will be receiving P130,000 cash prize; in the open longboard for both male and female categories, winners will also receive P130,000 cash prize.
In the junior category, the boy’s shortboard winner will receive P43,000, the same amount will also be received by the winner in the girl category.
For the master’s division, the winner will receive P30,500 cash prize.
Prior to Calicoan, the first leg of NextGen Pilipinas Surfing Nationals 2023 is scheduled in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte from Sept 1 to 7. The other leg of the surfing competition is in Baler, Borongan City, and Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY– At least two New People’s Army(NPA)members and 12 militia members based in Eastern Samar returned to the folds of the law, considered by military officials as a sign of the ‘weakening’ of the communist armed group in the province.
The rebels and the militia members also turned over several firearms consisting of two M-16 rifles, one Cal.30 Ml carbine, two Cal.45 pistols, one Ca.38 revolver, and two anti-personnel mines to the 78th Infantry Battalion based in Borongan City on Friday (August 19).
Joining them in their decision to return to the folds of the law were 61 of their civilian sympathizers, all from Barangay San Andres, Borongan City.
As a sign of their decision to leave the communist armed group, they took an oath of allegiance to the government in the presence of top Army officials led by B/Major Noel Vestuir, the commanding officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade and Col. Allan Tria, the commanding officer of the 78th IB.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Dayan Ivan Agda was also present during the event.
It was learned that the rebel members and their sympathizers decided to stop their engagements with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA due to the campaign of the government under its End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
B/Gen. Vestuir said that the ‘mass surrender’ of these former rebels and their sympathizers will result in more surrender and in the process, help end the insurgency problem in Eastern Samar and parts of Samar, areas under the control of his brigade.
He then urged the other remaining active NPA rebels to yield their arms and return to the folds of the law.
“Your withdrawal of support and oath of allegiance to the government were not just a mere talk neither a piece, written on paper. We should be truthful in ending our support to the communist terrorist group, we should cut the connection of the barangay to the CPP-NPA-NDF. Let us make our community inhospitable to the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Vestuir said during the ceremony.
“Your violent communist ideology is no longer welcomed by the people in the communities since they are already with us in our efforts to end this 54-year local communist armed conflict. They are now giving us the information on your whereabouts, the locations of your arms cache and even the foods that you hide and prepositioned in the area,” he added.
Mayor Agda also expressed his gratefulness to the former rebels and their sympathizers.
“I am thankful that you have finally decided to return your trust and support to the government. Expect that the city government has programs intended for you,” the city mayor said. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
