ORMOC CITY— A 70-year-old retired police officer is now in police custody after allegedly shooting his own son during a heated family altercation late Saturday night, April 25, in Barangay San Antonio, Basey, Samar.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Ren,” a retired PNP personnel and resident of the said village. The victim was identified as alias “Jose,” 41, jobless, and also a resident of Barangay San Antonio.

Based on the initial investigation of Basey Municipal Police Station, the incident stemmed from a family gathering celebrating the suspect’s birthday when the victim, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, attempted to take a motorcycle, which was refused by his sister.

The refusal allegedly triggered an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation between the siblings. Responding family members said the victim assaulted his sister, prompting the elderly father to intervene.

Police said the suspect initially tried to stop the commotion by firing a warning shot. However, the victim reportedly continued the assault, prompting the suspect to fire several more shots, hitting the victim in the right leg.

The victim was rushed to Basey District Hospital for treatment by personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The suspect later surrendered to responding police officers after authorities were alerted through a call from a concerned citizen. He was subsequently taken into custody at the Basey Municipal Police Station, while the firearm used in the incident remains unrecovered.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — The provincial board in Eastern Samar is advancing two key measures aimed at cushioning the impact of volatile fuel prices and accelerating the shift to renewable energy, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the province’s economic resilience.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently held a public hearing on the proposed ordinances, which officials say come at a time when rising fuel costs and supply chain disruptions continue to affect transport fares, agricultural production, and the overall cost of living in the province.

The hearing, led by Board Member Atty. PJ Evardone, was attended by representatives from national government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (Esamelco), along with stakeholders from the transport sector and academe.

Central to the discussions were two proposed measures authored by Evardone: the Eastern Samar Economic Resilience and Fuel Shock Mitigation Ordinance and the Renewable Energy Promotion Ordinance.

The Economic Resilience and Fuel Shock Mitigation Ordinance seeks to establish a Provincial Economic Resilience Council that will monitor economic trends and coordinate immediate response measures during fuel price surges.

It also proposes a digital price monitoring system and targeted assistance for vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and small livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Renewable Energy Promotion Ordinance aims to lessen the province’s reliance on expensive imported fuel by promoting alternative energy sources.

A key provision is the “Green LGUs Program,” which requires at least 30 percent of the energy consumption of provincial government facilities to come from renewable sources by 2030.

The measure also outlines incentives to attract investors, including tax discounts, faster permit processing, and subsidies for renewable energy projects.

Provincial officials said the twin ordinances are expected to draw investments in solar, wind, and hydropower, reduce electricity costs for households and businesses, create jobs in the renewable energy sector, and cut pollution linked to fossil fuel use.

Both measures remain under deliberation as the provincial government continues to explore long-term solutions to energy challenges affecting Eastern Samar.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health(DOH) in Eastern Visayas (DOH-8) is ramping up efforts to boost infant immunization coverage, urging parents to have their children aged 0 to 23 months vaccinated to protect them from preventable diseases.
Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino made the call during the regional launch of the government’s national immunization program in Alang-alang, Leyte, where more than 80 infants received vaccines from local health personnel.

Sabalberino also encouraged fathers to actively participate during their children’s immunization, stressing that their presence helps them better understand post-vaccination care, including how to respond to possible fever.

“Posible an bata magkahiranat katima han immunization kasi nga nare-react an body hit bata. Karuyag sidngun, maupay ito nga immune response hit bata, kaya importante nga an mga tatay mahibaro,” she said.

She clarified that while World Immunization Week is observed from April 24 to 30, vaccination services remain available year-round in rural health units (RHUs) and barangay health stations.

“We have regular schedules for immunization at our RHUs and barangay health stations,” Sabalberino said.

The health official emphasized that achieving the program’s targets requires strong support from parents and communities.

For this year, the DOH aims to immunize at least 95 percent of the infant population against vaccine-preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B.

During the April 24 launch, a total of 2,529 children across the region were vaccinated, including 194 who were fully immunized, according to DOH-8.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)