A total of 152 firearms were surrendered to the Philippine National Police and presented at the Firearm Safekeeping Caravan held in Calbayog City which was attended by Police Regional Office 8 Regional Director Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos(right). In photo, Regional Special Task Group Commander, PRO8 Deputy Regional Director for Operations Senior Superintendent Rolando Miranda turn-over the firearms to Commission on Election Assistant Regional Director Atty. Felicisimo Embalsado and witnessed by 803st brigade commander, Brigadier General Ramil Bitong and Calbayog City Police Chief, Superintendent Joie Pacito Yape. (Roel T. Amazona)
A total of 152 firearms were surrendered to the Philippine National Police and presented at the Firearm Safekeeping Caravan held in Calbayog City which was attended by Police Regional Office 8 Regional Director Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos(right). In photo, Regional Special Task Group Commander, PRO8 Deputy Regional Director for Operations Senior Superintendent Rolando Miranda turn-over the firearms to Commission on Election Assistant Regional Director Atty. Felicisimo Embalsado and witnessed by 803st brigade commander, Brigadier General Ramil Bitong and Calbayog City Police Chief, Superintendent Joie Pacito Yape. (Roel T. Amazona)
TACLOBAN CITY-The Police Regional Office here in the region has seized a total of 30 banned weapons during a five-day massive and simultaneous operation to support this year’s “Secure and Fair Election (SAFE)” midterm elections in the region.
“I am truly grateful of the decreasing number of seized weapons in Eastern Visayas during checkpoints. It truly shows that the community is cooperating in our campaign for a safe election,” said Police Director Dionardo Carlos.
All the weapons were confiscated from civilians on March 6 to 10, Carlos said.
The dangerous weapons confiscated were nine bottles of explosive substance locally known as “badil”; eight bladed weapons; six ammunition; three firearms including homemade shotgun known as “sumpak”; homemade firearm locally known as “de holen”; one unit caliber 38 revolver; two metal improvised bullet; and one fired cartridge and slingshot.
Leyte Provincial Police Office arrested five persons out of five operations while Samar Police Provincial Office arrested three persons.
Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office arrested two persons while Biliran Police Provincial Office arrested one person, the regional police command said.
The Philippine Army also joined during the checkpoint operations.
Police have readied various charges against the suspects.
(RONALD O. REYES)
TACLOBAN CITY – The El Niño phenomenon may have a positive effect on the fishing industry here in the region, so says the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said that due to the warm temperature, fishermen will have more fishing hours that will lead to increase on fish catch.
“Fishermen will have more fishing days and the warm water will make fish approach the shore and shallow area,” he said.
The warm water would result for more plankton that is the main source of food for fish and other marine animals, Albaladejo added.
However, even there is a positive effect of El Niño to the fishing industry, still it may still result to a red tide bloom.
“It’s easy to bloom with very high salinity, then with sudden drizzle and also the temperature that makes it very conducive for plankton growth,” Albaladejo explained.
Albaladejo added that he already made instructions for the personnel of the bureau to conduct active surveillance on bays that were hit by red tide.
BFAR personnel will conduct surveillance and gathering of water and shellfish samples three times a week.
The surveillance covers Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, Villareal Bay, coastal waters of Daram, and San Pedro Bay, all in Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte; and Biliran waters in Biliran province.
Red tide alert is still up in San Pedro Bay and Cancabato Bay as of this week.
Aside from shellfish, the El Niño will also affect fresh water aquaculture like those who are into tilapia cultivation. Excessive heat results for a rapid water evaporation.
“Tilapia growers must ensure that they will have enough and stable water supply,” Albaladejo advices.(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
Suspended Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales remains on his course of his congressionaal bid for Eastern Samar lone congressional district, so says his elder sister, former mayor Analiza Gonzales Kwan. Photo shows Mayor Gonzales with presidential daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte.
Suspended Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales remains on his course of his congressionaal bid for Eastern Samar lone congressional district, so says his elder sister, former mayor Analiza Gonzales Kwan. Photo shows Mayor Gonzales with presidential daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte.
GUIUAN, Eastern Samar- The former mayor of this town, Analiza Gonzales Kwan, insisted that the suspension of her brother as the mayor of the town is not legally binding.
Thus, Christopher Sheen Gonzales will continue on his congressional bid for the lone district of the province.
“He will continue on his congressional bid. In fact, he’s been going around the province; a proof that he is not distracted on the preventive suspension order issued against him by the Ombudsman,” Gonzales Kwan said.
On Sunday (March 17), Gonzales Kwan faced with members of various organizations based in Guiuan to personally explain to them on the ‘real situation’ and why they should not believe on rumors that her younger brother had already gave up on his congressional bid.
“It’s purely political harassment. And that is the real truth. They are saying that Sheen has already surrendered on his quest to become the next congressman of Eastern Samar. That is far from the truth,” she said.
“He will never give up because he is running to help our people; our dear province of Eastern Samar,” the former mayor, who is seeking for the same post in the May 13 elections, added.
Mayor Gonzales, who is on his second term, was preventively suspended for 60 days by the Ombudsman on Feb.12 for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, among others.
But the mayor, through his lawyers, insisted that the decision of the Ombudsman, which resulted for the Department of Interior and Local Government to ask him to step down, has no merit.
Mayor Gonzales said that based on the complaint filed against him, the Ombudsman found him to be administratively and not criminally liable.
Thus, for him to be suspended, there should be an approval from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) considering that the suspension order was issued within the election period already.
“The administrative character of the complaint…was for grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and violation of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Government Officials and Employees,” Gonzales said on his letter addressed to Interior Sec. Eduardo Año.
He is seeking for his suspension ordered be revoked unless the Comelec has given its order.
The vice mayor of the town, Susana Lourdes Gaylon, assumed the post as acting mayor on March 13. She is running for mayor against Gonzales Kwan who served as mayor for nine years of Guiuan.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
NAVAL, Biliran-Players of the Biliran Wildcat Delegation are not only preparing their physical prowess through series of practice to compete in the different games but also in conditioning their bodies to be physically fit to face their opponents at the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet in Ormoc City this coming April 7-12, 2019.
A total of 300 athletes from Biliran will undergo compulsory measles rubella vaccination staring March 14 in the different municipalities in the province.
In an interview, Ryan Remandaban, division sports coordinator of the School Division Office- Biliran, disclosed that the said vaccination is required as initiated by the host city of Ormoc in order to protect the athletes from measles.
The regional office of the Department of Health(DOH) has already declared a measles outbreak in the region with more than 1,000 cases.
Aside from the athletes, officiating officials and coaches are also required to undergo the same vaccination process for their protection.
Schools Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) Chief of DepEd- Biliran, Lucille Roa, has already briefed some delegation officials particularly the school nurses to facilitate the conduct of the vaccination procedure in coordination with the DOH and municipal health officers throughout the province.
Biliran EVRAA team is strongly supported by Governor Gerardo Espina, Jr. through the allocation of its Special Education Fund (SEF) and the provision of transportation services including the logistical support.
Meanwhile, Biliran Rep. Dr. Rogelio Espina also supported the team through the provision of some technical and financial assistance including training support, transportation among others.
The eight mayors of the province also supported the athletes by downloading their respective municipal special education fund to SDO – Biliran including the provision of vehicles and transportation assistance on the duration of the activity in Ormoc City. (RE E. FAJARDO)
PEACEFUL ELECTIONS. With just 11 days to go before local candidates hit the campaign trail, Major Gen. Raul Farnacio, commanding officer of the 8th ID, asked the candidates not to resort to violence to ensure a peaceful elections in Samar,in particular. Photo shows various firearms confiscated by the authorities as part of their campaign to achieve peaceful and orderly elections in the region.
Ready to defend the sanctity of the elections
CALBAYOG CITY- Just 11 days before the start of the campaign period for candidates seeking for local positions, the region’s top Army official asked the candidates not to resort to violence just to win.
In particular, candidates in Samar province should stop using violence for it to be removed from being a perennial ‘hot spot’ during elections, Major General Raul Farnacio, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, said in a statement during a signing of peace covenant held on March 17. this city.
Present were Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st district), Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino, Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, police regional director; some mayors and candidates, and priests from the Calbayog Diocese.
“Candidates should never use guns, goons and gold just to win this election race,” Farnacio said.
The province of Samar, he said, is often included among the hot spots or concerned areas in the country every election time due to killings seen as politically-motivated.
Reports have said that some of the politicians in the province maintain their own private armed groups (PAGs) coupled with the presence of New People’s Army (NPA).
The NPA is said to be involved of its own political activities like soliciting funds from candidates or campaigning for their own candidates.
Of the initial 70 concerned areas in the region relative to the May 13 balloting, majority of them are located in Samar provinces.
“The military in Eastern Visayas are ready to protect people’s vote. Our only request is for our candidates not to use guns, goons and gold and for our voters to vote according to their conscience,” Farnacio said.
Farnacio added that if people really want change, voters should choose candidates who will fight for their welfare, particularly the poor and underprivileged.
“We all want leaders who will bring us development and lasting progress and peace in this region but this can only be achieve if we will have a peaceful and secure election this May 2019 and will not resort to violence just to win the election,” Farnacio added.
Farnacio also asked the candidates not to give in to the demands of the NPA who are said to be asking permit to campaign and win fees.
