CALBAYOG CITY-Another group of soldiers from the region were deployed to Jolo, Sulu to help fight against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. On Wednesday (August 31), soldiers of the 63rd Infantry Battalion left for their new assignment augmenting further the number of soldiers who are already deployed in Sulu. The deployment of the 63rd IB, which is under the command of Lt. Col.Carmelito Pangatungan and based in Las Navas, Northern Samar, was the second group of soldiers from the region to be reassign to fight against the Abu Sayyaf Group. Last May 29, soldiers belonging to the 19th IB, based in Kananga, Leyte, were also deployed to Sulu to help fight against the Abu Sayyaf Group. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte had issued an order to end the terrorism activities of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Mindanao which include abduction of foreigners and seek ransom in the millions of dollars.

Since the heighten campaign against the terrorist group, 15 soldiers have already died with the almost the same number of Abu Sayyaf members also killed. The 63rd IB left for their new assignment on Wednesday with a send-off ceremony held at the Calbayog Airport attended by top officials of the 8th Infantry Division and the 803rd Infantry Brigade. The 300 soldiers left for Sulu via a C-130 military plane.  “Even before we were informed of this assignment I already told my troop of the possibility that we will be assigned there (Sulu),” Pangatungan said. Col. Mario Lacurom, commanding officer of the 803rd IB, assured the public that the peace and order of Northern Samar and part of Samar would not be affected due to the reassignment of the 63rd IB.

“We have enough soldiers to man our peace and order here. Anyway, there is nothing much to worry in so far as our peace and order situation in Northern Samar and parts of Samar,” Lacurom said. The 803rd IB, of which the 63rd IB belongs, has a jurisdiction covering the entire Northern Samar and parts of Calbayog City.  The other battalion under its command is the 20th IB which is based in Catubig, Northern Samar.  Lacurom said that the deployment of the soldiers to Mindanao is their “contribution in attaining peace not only in Mindanao but for the entire country as well.” He also said that the headquarters of the 63rd IB will temporarily be occupied by the members of the 43rd IB which is based in San Jorge, Samar. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Cesar Idio, assistant 8ID commander, reminded the soldiers to be careful and enhance commandership, leadership and continue with the needed training.  (JENNIFER SUMAGANG ALLEGADO/ROEL T. AMAZONA)

With Mayor Espinosa eyed as target  

ALBUERA, Leyte- Anticipating of a possible attack, members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion and the Leyte Provincial Public Safety Company were deployed to this town on Thursday (Sept1). The deployment of these forces was triggered on the revelations of embattled town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of high ranking police officers who were on his payroll. Espinosa, tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as drug protector with his son Kerwin as the region’s top drug lord, signed an affidavit detailing his involvement on the illegal drug activity naming top police officials, a former Justice Secretary and several local officials as their alleged protectors.
Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, local police chief, said that while they have not received any information of possible attack at their police station, they are not taking any chances.
“We received no intelligence report that there will be an attack in our police station but we don’t want to discount the possibilities.So it’s important that we are prepared to respond,” Espenido said.
Aside from augmenting forces, check points are also being conducted in various points of Albuera. Curfew involving minors are also in full force as well as non-using of helmet among drivers.
Mayor Espinosa is staying inside the police station as he sought for police protective custody.
Police Inspector Salvador Apacible, team leader of the augmentation police, described the reinforcement as “planned deployment of additional personnel.”
“Our mission is to assist our fellow police officers to maintain peace in Albuera. Additional police forces are here to assist with the efforts to re-man, re-equip, but its primary mission will remain force protection. The more police we have, the less crime there will be,” Apacible added.
Meanwhile, people in Albuera have mixed feelings over the presence of police patrolling the town streets.
Rene Gilbert Estacio, village chairman of Mahayag, welcome the deployment describing it as “good thing.”
“It makes us feel more secure especially during the nights,” he said. Others, however, said the sight of police makes them uneasy.
“It makes me feel more nervous than secure to be honest,” said a teacher who declined to be named.
(JAZMIN E. BONIFACIO)

TACLOBAN CITY- Mayor Cristina Romualdez issued an appeal to those who oppose the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The city mayor said that as a Christian nation, forgiving is one of its virtues.
Romualdez, who is married to former mayor Alfred Romualdez who is a nephew of former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, said that it’s about time for us to forgive whatever misdeeds Marcos had done during his 20 year rule and allow him to be buried “properly” befitting his former position as a former president.
“Dapat magmahalan na tayo; magkapatawaran and should move on. We cannot move forward kung walang reconciliation and forgiveness kung totoo tayong Kristiyano,” Romualdez said.
“I really feel that Marcos, (he was) president for 20 years, deserves a proper burial. He was also a former soldier,” she added.
Human rights groups in the country and victims of martial law are opposing the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani saying he does not deserve to be buried there considering what he did to the country and its people during his iron-fisted rule of two decades.
Marcos was ousted through the first People Power EDSA Revolution in 1986.
But Mayor Romualdez, whose own father, Jose Mari, was a supporter of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino who defeated Marcos during the 1986 snap presidential elections, maintained that the late strongman deserves a proper burial.
“Kailangan huwag na tayong magkakampi.We should actually forget whatever happened in the past and move forward and give him the proper burial that he deserves,” she said.
Asked about the opposition of the human rights victims, Mayor Romualdez declined to comment reiterating her personal belief that Marcos should be buried where his family wishes.
In the region, the Commission on Human Rights documented 4,040 human rights abuses during the Marcos regime.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)

CALBAYOG CITY- The chief of the Quality Assurance Section (QAS) of Samar First District Engineering Office (SFDEO), Engr. Raquel Sumayo hosted the quarterly Quality Assurance Engineers’ conference on August 11-12, 2016 at the I’s Plant Hotel’s conference hall, this city.
Under the supervision of Engr. Brinelda Mendoza, chief of the Quality Assurance Division (QAD), the two-day conference was attended by 50 materials engineers and representatives from District Engineering Offices (DEOs).
District Engineer Alvin Ignacio welcome the guests and participants in his message.
Engr. Mendoza tackled the issues and concerns relevant to quality control implementation based on the latest department orders released, and presented the status of performances of the DEOs.
Laboratory concerns were discussed by Engr. Irineo Purificacion, Jr. assistant chief of Quality Assurance Division, while updates on the submission of various quality control reports were discussed by the chief of the Quality Implementation Section (QIS) Engr. AdelfaBonifacio.
Planning and strategizing on how to improve each DEO’s performance particularly on the quality assurance and quality control of various projects concluded the conference. (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Second Leyte Engineering District (2nd LED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways reports a 71% accomplishment of target projects and is positive to finish all of its 68 projects before the year ends. Engr. Carlos Veloso, district engineer of the 2nd LED, said they have to finish the projects by September so they can start processing and bidding of priority projects for 2017. Based on their report, out of the 68 infrastructure projects being undertaken by the 2nd LED, 48 of these have already been completed while 32 are still ongoing. Nine of the projects, however, have yet to start as contract documents are still being process. The 2nd LED has completed the rehabilitation of the portion of the Breakneck Ridge in Lemon, Capoocan, Leyte.  The road was reconstructed after it was badly damaged by typhoon “Seniang” in 2014. Veloso said that they have to scrape part of the mountain side to widen the road area and take it away from the deep ravine on the other side. Among the priority projects for 2016 were the repair and rehabilitation of 18 bridges.  Most of bridges within the area are either old or have been damaged by heavy rains and water flow during the past typhoons. Also appropriated were widening and road reblocking along the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road.  Veloso said that this vital highway that cuts across Leyte province have been steadily widened in order to accommodate increasing traffic flow. Meanwhile, Veloso disclosed that first phase of the Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro, also in Leyte, is set to be finished this year.  Should it be completed, traffic can be allowed but widening the bridge into four lanes under its second phase will continue.  The Hiagsam Bridge was among the bridges destroyed during the onslaught of “Senyang.” As the government’s lead construction agency, the DPWH’s budget allocation is the second biggest among government departments.  In 2016, the DPWH plans to complete the paving of all national arterial and secondary roads, as well as the continuing development of the national road network—including tertiary roads—and the preservation of road assets. The 2nd LED has more than P 523 million in budget for various infrastructure projects for the current fiscal year.  (AHLETTE C. REYES)

BAYBAY CITY- A branch of Metro Gaisano is soon to open this city expected to provide employment to the locals and income for the city government. A memorandum of agreement was signed earlier between the city government of Baybay thru Mayor Carmen Cari and the officials of the Metro Retail Stores Group at the City Hall. The singing of the MOA sealed the long awaited investment of the company in Baybay. “This will not only give income to the city but will also address unemployment problem in Baybay because this will generate jobs,” Cari said. The company had made an advance payment for the land rental of P12 million and paid security payment of P600,000 at the city treasurer’s office. Mayor Cari added that the company also assured them that most of the employees that they will hire are from the city. “The company will start hiring of their employees because they still need to undergo training especially those who does not have experience,” Cari said. Now that the MOA had been signed, the company can now start the construction of their building that will occupy one hectare area of the reclamation project facing the Camotes Sea. The reclamation project of Baybay started in 2013 with an area of 9.5 hectares located adjacent to the Baybay City Public Market. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)