CATBALOGAN CITY– The Delta Epsilon Fraternity and Sorority (DEFAS) Delta Epsilon Fraternity and Sorority Alumni Association, Inc. (DEFASAAI) celebrated its founding anniversary, very recently, the 27th Founding Anniversary of the Samar State University (SSU) in Catbalogan City.

The celebration, which was simultaneous with the acceptance ceremonies of new members, was held at Lucas Wharf Restaurant and Bar here.

The ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the stagnation of membership in all student chapters. The situation became the primary challenge to DEFASAAI considering that the continued growth in membership in the existing school chapters has always been its primordial concern.

It aims to sustain the existing school chapters in Leyte, Samar, Iloilo, Bacolod and Cebu. On a positive note, the COVID-19 pandemic brought its alumni in virtually connected through online social media platforms despite their separation since the time they left the portals of their respective alma mater due to further studies, practice of profession and work.

The linkage among alumni members in various places of the country and across the globe led to the voluntary pooling of financial contributions aimed at helping the members and the students in need. It later resulted in the formal organization through a virtual election of its first board of trustees and officers.

In 2020, the set of officers decided to register the organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit association. One of its vital decision is the launching of a scholarship program which was initially implemented at EVSU Tacloban Main Campus.

During the DEFAS 55th Anniversary and DEFASAAI 1st General Assembly on 24 September 2022 held at Ritz Tower de Leyte in Tacloban City, the DEFASAAI board of trustees decided to implement its scholarship program by raising the scholarship fund through donations from among its members who committed to be sponsors.

Subsequently, the scholarship committee conducted a screening of aspiring students who want to avail of financial assistance and become active members of the student chapter.
Already, the scholarship recognition and awarding was implemented on February 25, 2023 through a virtual program.

The scholarship committee recognized five scholars from EVSU Tacloban Main Campus and two scholars from EVSU Tanauan Satellite Campus.

The financial assistance of P1,000 per month equivalent to P 5,000 for the first semester was released by DEFASAAI Assistant Treasurer, Engr. Juna Cardona-Aruta. The lone scholar from SSU had been granted the same financial assistance earlier that the formal recognition and awarding ceremonies.

The scholars as well as their parents/guardians who were present during the recognition and awarding program, expressed their appreciation and sincere gratitude to DEFASAAI for implementing the scholarship program.

They shared their common view that the program is a great help to alleviate the financial needs of the students and their families. The DEFASAAI board of trustees and officers are aiming to sustain the program and replicate it in its other school chapters.
(AL ELLEMA)

ORMOC CITY-A minor student was placed under the care of the social welfare office in Alangalang, Leyte after he was caught by his adviser in possession of suspected dried marijuana while inside the school’s premises.

Local police said they were informed by one of the teachers of the concerned school that a 16-year-old student was caught in possession of suspected marijuana.

The minor was also caught in possession of a small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected marijuana, two packs of wrappers, two Swiss knives, and one marijuana pipe.

The offender was immediately brought to Alangalang municipal police office for documentation and was later turned over to Bahay Pag-asa of the social welfare office of the municipality for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY– The regional headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a total confiscation of illegal drugs worth P3.8 million.

Based on the report of the headquarters’ operations division, a total of 20 buy-bust operations were conducted across the region from March 6 to 12 of this year.

The operations yielded a total 23 arrests with 42 cases filed against the suspects. And of the 23 drug personalities arrested, 21 of them were under the drugs watch list.
Of the drug personalities arrested, 14 were considered as street-level individuals (SLIs) and nine as high-value individuals (HVIs).

Among the HVIs arrested was Erwin Apuya, 40, who was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Naungan, Ormoc City on March 9 who was in possession of alleged shabu with a commercial value of P2.92 million.

B/Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, the police regional director, has expressed his commitment in eradicating drug proliferation in the region.

“We will exert more effort in our intensified campaign against illegal drugs in support to DILG’s B.I.D.A. Program to reduce drug demand in the communities,” he said in a statement.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – Six members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) surrendered to the joint force of the military under the 803rd Infantry
“Peacemaker” Brigade, Philippine Army, and the Northern Samar Police at the Headquarters of 43rd Infantry Battalion in Brgy. Magsaysay, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar last March 8, 2023.

They surrendered two M16A1 rifles, one M14 rifle, two cal .45 pistols, one cal .38 revolver, and NPA propaganda materials.

Lieutenant Colonel Manuel B. Degay Jr, commanding officer of 43IB, together with the Northern Samar Police formally accepted the surrender of six NPA members who belong to the Executive Committee of Front Committee 2 (FC2) Sub-Regional Guerilla Unit (SRGU), Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Emporium, of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

“We have been struggling in the mountains evading the government security forces, we are tired and hungry since we no longer have the masses’ support. We only eat once in a while,” alias Arthur said in a statement.

Alias Webb, the former finance officer of SRC Emporium who surrendered earlier, said that the people are now aware of their deception; the NPA is finding it hard to recruit and organize in the countryside resulting in a crisis and desperation of its members in their movement.

Lt. Col. Degay Jr. praised the sacrifices and efforts of the 43lB troops and the local government units in the successful campaign to defeat the insurgency in the area. He also assured the former rebels that they would not regret their decision.

“I encourage the remaining members of the NPA here in Northern Samar to return to the folds of the law so that you can take advantage of the services prepared by our government so that you can start over and live in peace with your loved ones. The Provincial and Municipal Task Forces in Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) here in Northern Samar have prepared benefits for those who will return to the government,” Lt. Col. Degay Jr. added.

Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, commander of the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army and Joint Task Force Storm (JTFS), is grateful for the trust given by the six surrenderees to the government. This effort only shows positive results of tireless work of soldiers and law enforcement to achieve peace in the region.
“The surrender of the six members of CTGs to our authorities is just a demonstration of their trust in the government. Therefore, I am calling out to all the remaining members of the CTGs to lay down your weapon and return to the folds of the law. It’s not too late, our government will help you to start a new life and hope with peace in your hearts and minds” said Major General Ligayo. (PR)