ORMOC CITY— Two suspects in the fatal shooting of an unemployed man in Barangay San Policarpo, Calbayog City were killed during a gunfight with pursuing police officers in Barangay Navarro on Sunday afternoon, September 14.

Police identified the fatalities as alias “Roger” Polon and alias “Reynante,” both married farmers and residents of Barangay Navarro.

The joint operation stemmed from a September 13 shooting incident in Barangay San Policarpo that killed “Mike,” 34, an unemployed resident. Acting on intelligence, operatives from various police units tracked the suspects in Barangay Navarro and tried to persuade them to surrender. Instead, the suspects reportedly opened fire, prompting police to return fire in self-defense.

Both men sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Calbayog District Hospital, where they were pronounced dead by the attending physician.

Recovered from the scene were a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition, a caliber .38 revolver with live rounds, and several fired cartridge cases. The operation was documented on video in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.

Police forensic teams processed the crime scene and conducted paraffin tests on the suspects at the hospital. Authorities said the operation demonstrates their commitment to swiftly resolve violent crimes and maintain peace and order in Calbayog City.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — To mark the 62nd Fish Conservation Week and promote healthy eating among schoolchildren, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region has launched a feeding program featuring protein-rich tilapia meals in selected elementary schools across the region.

The initiative kicked off on September 18 at San Miguelay Elementary School in Sta. Fe, Leyte, where nearly 70 pupils enjoyed tilapia fillet, squash cooked in coconut milk, and rice prepared by the Regional Freshwater Aquaculture Production Center (RFAPC) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).

BFAR 8 OIC-Regional Director Dominador Maputol encouraged students to eat nutritious food to support their growth and learning. “Let’s eat healthy meals to stay strong and learn better in school,” he reminded the pupils.

Beyond the feeding program, BFAR is also introducing the idea of establishing school-based fishponds powered by solar hydraulic pumps in campuses with suitable areas for aquafarming. The concept aims to ensure sustainable, nutritious meals for students while serving as an income-generating project in partnership with Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs).

According to BFAR, the program is designed not only to promote proper nutrition and food security but also to instill self-reliance, community participation, and awareness of aquaculture among young learners and their families.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said it has resolved a shooting incident in Calbayog City after a hot pursuit operation led to the death of two suspects on September 14, 2025.

The operation was launched following the September 13 shooting of a 34-year-old man, alias “Kim,” in Barangay San Policarpo. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds from motorcycle-riding suspects but survived and was initially treated at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital before being transferred to St. Camillus Hospital in Calbayog City.

Acting on intelligence, PRO-8 mounted a coordinated hot pursuit operation in Barangay Navarro the following day. The joint team—composed of the Calbayog Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET), Samar Provincial Intelligence Unit (Samar PIU), 1st Samar Police Mobile Force Company (SPMFC), 3rd Special Action Battalion of PNP-SAF, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)—clashed with the suspects, alias “Jerry” and alias “Roy,” who reportedly opened fire on law enforcers.

Both suspects were wounded in the exchange and brought to Calbayog District Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver, several ammunition, and fired cartridge cases. The wife of alias “Jerry” later surrendered a KG9 submachine gun with a magazine, ammunition, and a suppressor under the Balik Armas Program.

PB/Gen. Jason Capoy, PRO-8 regional director, praised the operating units for their swift action, saying the operation demonstrated the police force’s resolve to ensure public safety. “We will not allow lawless elements to threaten peace in our communities. PRO-8 will continue to act decisively against criminals to safeguard the people of Eastern Visayas,” he said.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), in partnership with Governor Harris Ongchuan, turned over P17.4 million worth of rice farm machinery to RCEF-accredited farmers’ cooperatives and associations in Northern Samar.

The ceremonial turnover benefited four farmer organizations from the province’s major rice-producing municipalities of Las Navas, Palapag, and Laoang. Each group received one four-wheel tractor and one rice combine harvester.

Recipients included the Laoang Mainland Farmers Organization, Brgy. Talolora Farmers Association, Robasan Farmers Irrigators Association, Inc., and Bobolosan Multi-Sector Kilusang Pagbabago Organization.

The initiative is part of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program, which aims to modernize rice farming, improve efficiency, and reduce postharvest losses.

Governor Ongchuan said the equipment will help boost production and farmers’ incomes, while the provincial government remains committed to supporting local agriculture.

A demonstration and orientation on the use of the machines followed the turnover ceremony, which was attended by DA-PhilMech officials, provincial agriculture officers, and local leaders.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)