TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion (19IB) has installed a new commanding officer following a change of command ceremony at its main command post in Barangay Opong, Catubig, Northern Samar, marking a leadership transition for one of the key Army units operating in the province.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Gobway Jr., formally assumed command of the 19IB from Lieutenant Colonel Ricky James Rosalejos during a simple ceremony held on Dec.21. The battalion operates under the 803rd Brigade of the 8th Infantry Division.

The ceremony was presided over by Major General Peter Burgonio, commander of the 8th Infantry Division, who commended Lt. Col. Rosalejos for his leadership and accomplishments and welcomed Lt. Col. Gobway as the new battalion commander.
Brigadier General Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the 803rd Brigade, presented a command plaque to Lt. Col. Rosalejos in recognition of his service as the 40th commander of the 19IB.

Under Lt. Col. Rosalejos’ leadership, the battalion registered notable operational gains, including the neutralization of the Sub-Regional Guerrilla Unit under SRC Emporium, which had been operating in parts of Northern Samar and Samar. Military officials said these accomplishments significantly contributed to improved peace and security conditions in the area.

In his relinquishment message, Rosalejos expressed pride in the battalion’s achievements and urged the troops to sustain their dedication to duty. He called on personnel to extend their full support to the new commander and underscored the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with local government units, communities, and other stakeholders in advancing peace and development. He also thanked local officials and partner agencies for their support during his tenure.

In his assumption speech, Lt. Col. Gobway acknowledged the solid groundwork laid by his predecessor and thanked officers, enlisted personnel, and stakeholders for their continued cooperation. He pledged to sustain the battalion’s best practices and to lead a mission-focused and proactive unit, working closely with local government units and partner agencies, particularly in conflict-affected communities.

Maj. Gen. Burgonio, in his message, emphasized the importance of leadership that prioritizes troop welfare, morale, and professionalism, alongside sustained operational excellence.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — In the aftermath of a military encounter in Northern Samar that left two members of the communist insurgency dead, an Army commander has renewed his call for peace, urging remaining rebels to abandon armed struggle and return to civilian life.

Brigadier General Carmelito Pangatungan, commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade, issued the appeal following a clash on December 19, 2025, in the hinterlands of Barangay Bulao, Las Navas, involving government troops and suspected members of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA).

The encounter stemmed from reports by local farmers who sought military assistance after allegedly being subjected to intimidation and extortion by armed men demanding cash and portions of their harvests.

While describing the operation as a tactical success, Pangatungan underscored the human cost of the decades-long conflict, extending condolences to the families of the fatalities.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, and we hope they find comfort, courage, and strength during this difficult time. May they experience peace and solace amid their loss,” Pangatungan said in a statement.

He also issued a direct appeal to remaining members of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) ARCTIC, calling on them to lay down their arms and choose a peaceful path.

“This is a heartfelt appeal to those still involved to abandon violence, embrace dialogue, and choose lasting peace for themselves, their families, and the community,” he added.
According to the 8th Infantry Division, the firefight erupted when troops conducting verification operations encountered armed men believed to be members of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC). The rebels reportedly opened fire, prompting a brief but intense exchange.

Following the clash, government troops recovered the bodies of two deceased rebels along with three firearms and assorted ammunition at the scene.

Military officials said the operation was necessary to protect farmers and rural communities who have long been vulnerable to coercion and extortion by insurgent groups.

The Army also credited the timely reporting of civilians for the successful operation, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in preventing armed groups from exploiting local residents. Government forces remain on heightened alert in Northern Samar to prevent any regrouping by rebel elements.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — To ease congestion in the town center and help small vendors earn during the peak holiday season, the local government unit of Catarman has opened designated areas inside the Catarman Public Market to ambulant fruit vendors free of charge from December 22 to 31.

The arrangement, agreed upon during a meeting between fruit vendors and the Catarman Market Committee, bars pushcart and ambulant fruit vendors from selling along roads in Poblacion Catarman during the Christmas period. Instead, vendors will be accommodated within the public market to promote order, safety, and convenience for both sellers and shoppers.

The meeting was led by Mayor Dianne Rosales and attended by Market Committee members, including MPOSO Chief Atty. Harold Horcasitas, Local Economic Enterprise (LEE) head Dr. Arlan Ong, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) head Engr. Jay-r Lim, Architect Rafael Villegas, Engr. Clint Opeña, Tina Salazar, and PSSG Jestoni Bacolod.

Under the approved plan, two rows of temporary fruit stalls will be installed along the road between Market Buildings 1 and 2. Each stall will have a width of 1.5 meters, with a half-meter space between stalls. Additional vending spaces will be provided behind the Rayhak Building, located outside the main market area.

A total of 68 slots have been allocated for ambulant fruit vendors. Vendors will be responsible for building their own temporary stalls and, consistent with previous Christmas seasons, will not be charged any rental fees for the duration of the program.

Mayor Rosales said the initiative is part of the local government’s effort to support small-scale vendors while ensuring orderly market operations during the holidays. She also approved the request of regular tenants in the vegetable section to extend their selling areas up to the stairways to better accommodate fruit displays.

Only ambulant fruit vendors who are residents of Catarman are eligible to participate in the program.

To ensure cleanliness, a garbage truck from the MENRO will be stationed at the market throughout the period, with vendors required to dispose of their waste daily. Mayor Rosales stressed that the market should be cleared of garbage by January 1, 2026, warning that vendors who fail to comply with the rules may be blacklisted and barred from participating in future holiday market programs.

Mayor Rosales personally supervised the raffle draw to determine the assigned stall numbers for the participating ambulant fruit vendors.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY— Police arrested a high-value individual listed in the Regional Priority Target List (RPTL) after a buy-bust operation in Barangay Ichon, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, on Thursday afternoon, December 18.

Operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Macrohon Municipal Police Station arrested the suspect, identified only as alias “Pert,” 45, single, unemployed, and a resident of the same barangay, at around 2:14 p.m.

Recovered from the suspect were eight sachets containing white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu. Four sachets were allegedly sold to a police operative for P4,000 during the buy-bust transaction.

A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, yielded four more sachets concealed in a white paper.

Police also recovered four P1,000 bills, one of which was genuine and pre-marked, while the remaining three were boodle money used as buy-bust bait. Additional items seized included P1,020 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales and a green lighter.
The total weight of the confiscated suspected shabu is still subject to confirmation by the Regional Forensic Unit 8 (RFU-8).

Authorities said the suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect is currently detained at the Macrohon Municipal Police Station’s custodial facility.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — A major renewable energy producer has turned over nearly P32 million to a local electric cooperative in Leyte, underscoring how revenues from power generation are being shared to strengthen electricity distribution services in host communities.

First Gen–Energy Development Corporation (First Gen-EDC) recently remitted P31.9 million to the Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Leyeco)V as part of its obligations under the Department of Energy’s ER 1-94 program, a benefit-sharing scheme that channels a portion of power generation revenues to host local government units and distribution utilities.

The amount represents Leyeco V’s share from First Gen-EDC’s renewable energy operations in Leyte, particularly geothermal power generation. Under ER 1-94, generation companies are required to allocate financial benefits to communities and electric cooperatives affected by or hosting energy facilities, helping support improved power services and local development.

Leyeco V said the remitted funds will be used for operational improvements and system upgrades, aimed at enhancing the reliability and efficiency of electricity distribution across its franchise area, which covers Ormoc City and several municipalities in the third and fourth districts of Leyte.

The turnover was led by First Gen-EDC officials, led by Leyte site head and head of facility operations Engr. Estanislao Pialago Jr.

First Gen-EDC said the remittance highlights its continued partnership with local electric cooperatives and its commitment to sustainable energy development and community support in areas hosting its power facilities.

EDC, a subsidiary of First Gen Corporation, is the country’s largest 100-percent renewable energy company, with nearly 1,400 megawatts of installed capacity nationwide. This includes more than 1,000 megawatts of geothermal power, making it the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal company. One of its major geothermal plants is located in Tongonan, Ormoc City.

Leyeco V serves Ormoc City and distributes electricity to the municipalities of Merida, Isabel, Palompon, Kananga, Matag-ob, and Albuera in Leyte’s 4th District, as well as Villaba, Tabango, San Isidro, Calubian, and Leyte in the 3rd District.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Strengthening government efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has turned over 60 kilograms of soft plastic waste to the local government of Naval, supporting the town’s “RESIKLO” waste-to-rewards program.

The turnover was led by BFP Provincial Director FCINSP Zardoz Abela, who said the initiative ensures that plastic waste collected by the agency will be diverted from landfills and instead processed at Naval’s municipal recycling facility. The recovered materials will be transformed into durable, eco-friendly school chairs.

In a demonstration of the circular economy in action, the upcycled chairs will be used at the BFP Fire Safety Education Center which serves as both a training venue for fire personnel and an interactive learning space for students in the municipality.

Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina welcomed the BFP’s participation, saying it shows how the RESIKLO framework is gaining support across various government institutions and encouraging wider public involvement in waste reduction efforts.

According to the LGU, soft plastics—often among the most difficult materials to manage in conventional waste systems—are shredded and molded into “plastic lumber.” The resulting chairs are not only long-lasting but also serve as a tangible reminder to young learners about the value of recycling and the principles of the circular economy.

The RESIKLO program, a flagship environmental initiative of Mayor Espina, follows a “waste-to-rewards” model that incentivizes proper waste disposal. Earlier this year, the program expanded through “RESIKLO sa Empleyado,” which encourages government workers to participate in plastic recovery.

Under the system, participants earn 10 points for every kilogram of soft plastic—such as food wrappers, sachets, and foil packs—turned over to the Resiklo Hub. These points can be redeemed for basic necessities, including groceries, school supplies, and clothing.

The LGU said it is eyeing a broader, community-wide rollout of the program to help address the municipality’s plastic waste problem while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)