ORMOC CITY — A 49-year-old farmer was declared dead after he reportedly drowned while swimming off the coastal waters of Barangay Himbangan in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, at around 12:15 p.m. on Monday, June 29.
Police identified the victim only by the alias “Alie,” a married farmer and resident of Saint Bernard.
According to a report from the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the Saint Bernard Municipal Police Station received information from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) regarding a reported drowning incident in Barangay Himbangan. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the area to verify the report and conduct an investigation.
Upon arrival, police learned that the victim had already been transported by the MDRRMO rescue team to the Rural Health Unit (RHU).
Initial investigation revealed that the victim was swimming with companions when he reportedly told them, “Muadto ko sa gakit” (“I will swim to the raft”), according to a witness identified only by the alias “Frey.” Moments later, the group noticed that the victim was no longer in sight.
His companions immediately sought assistance from nearby boat operators and residents, prompting a search and retrieval operation.
The victim was eventually recovered from the water, and the MDRRMO rescue team rushed him to the Saint Bernard RHU. However, Rural Health Physician Dr. Karen Villanueva Adaro declared him dead on arrival, with drowning identified as the cause of death.
Police continue to document the incident as part of their standard investigation.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING. A newly completed two-storey, six-classroom school building at MacArthur National High School in MacArthur, Leyte is now being used by 307 Grade 8 students, helping ease classroom congestion and provide a safer and more conducive learning environment. The P17.9-million project was completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office under the Department of Education’s Basic Education Facilities Fund.(L2DEO)
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING. A newly completed two-storey, six-classroom school building at MacArthur National High School in MacArthur, Leyte is now being used by 307 Grade 8 students, helping ease classroom congestion and provide a safer and more conducive learning environment. The P17.9-million project was completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office under the Department of Education’s Basic Education Facilities Fund.(L2DEO)
TACLOBAN CITY — More than 300 Grade 8 students at MacArthur National High School in MacArthur, Leyte are now studying in a new two-storey, six-classroom building completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), helping ease classroom congestion and improve the school’s learning environment.
The Department of Public Works and Highways Leyte 2nd District Engineering Office (L2DEO) said the newly completed facility is now being used by 307 Grade 8 students under the supervision of six advisers and six co-advisers.
Built to address the school’s growing need for additional classrooms, the 32-meter by 9.5-meter structure provides spacious learning areas designed to support more effective classroom instruction.
The building is equipped with separate toilets for boys and girls on both floors, a persons-with-disabilities (PWD) accessible toilet on the ground floor, a handwashing area, fire safety equipment, and a reliable water supply system to ensure the safety, accessibility, and comfort of students and teachers.
Antonio Abarca Jr., Grade 8 level chairperson of MacArthur National High School, said the new facility has significantly improved teaching and learning conditions.
“This building is very useful because we have long faced a shortage of classrooms. It allows us to provide better instruction, interact more closely with our students, and better support their learning,” Abarca said.
He also thanked the DPWH for selecting the school as one of the beneficiaries of the classroom-building program.
The project was funded under the Department of Education’s Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) for fiscal year 2024 with a contract cost of P17.9 million. It was implemented by 4Angle Construction as part of the government’s continuing effort to strengthen public school infrastructure and provide safe, resilient, and quality learning facilities.
HEIGHTEN SECURITY. The Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) in the region aid that it has imposed stricter security at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Tanauan, Leyte, where the two minors implicated in the June 22 San Jose National High School shooting in Tacloban City are under government custody. The agency said security has been strengthened through closer coordination with the Philippine National Police while ensuring that the children continue to receive rehabilitation and psychosocial interventions. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Field Office VIII)
HEIGHTEN SECURITY. The Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) in the region aid that it has imposed stricter security at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Tanauan, Leyte, where the two minors implicated in the June 22 San Jose National High School shooting in Tacloban City are under government custody. The agency said security has been strengthened through closer coordination with the Philippine National Police while ensuring that the children continue to receive rehabilitation and psychosocial interventions. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Field Office VIII)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has stepped up security at its Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Tanauan, Leyte, where the two minors accused in the deadly San Jose National High School shooting are being held, assuring the public that stringent measures are in place to prevent escape while ensuring the children’s rehabilitation.
The enhanced security comes weeks after the June 22 attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, one of the deadliest school shootings in the country’s recent history. The attack left three students dead and 20 others injured, sending shockwaves across Eastern Visayas and the rest of the country and prompting renewed calls for stronger school security and juvenile intervention programs.
The two suspects, identified by police only through the aliases “Rod,” 15, and “Nash,” 14, are currently under the custody of the DSWD at the RRCY.
Authorities have filed criminal complaints against the 15-year-old suspect, who investigators said acted with discernment during the commission of the crime. He is facing three counts of murder, three counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of serious physical injuries under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
The 14-year-old suspect, meanwhile, is exempt from criminal liability because of his age but remains under mandatory intervention and rehabilitation as provided by law.
DSWD Eastern Visayas Regional Director Grace Subong said the agency has reinforced security at the rehabilitation center by deploying additional security personnel, coordinating closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP), and upgrading the facility’s physical security features.
“We have security guards assigned both outside and inside the facility, and we also have personnel conducting regular roving patrols,” Subong said.
To further strengthen security, the DSWD coordinated with the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO), which has stationed police officers at the facility.
A coordination meeting between the DSWD Field Office VIII and the LPPO was held on July 3, led by Leyte police officer-in-charge Police Colonel Celerino Sacro Jr. and Subong. The meeting focused on enhancing security protocols, emergency response procedures, and inter-agency coordination to ensure the safety of the rehabilitation center, its personnel, and the children under its care.
“We wanted to ensure the safety of the children at the RRCY and give the public peace of mind, so we coordinated with the provincial police,” Subong said.
She said one police officer has been assigned to monitor each of the two minors, while another has been posted at the entrance of the facility.
The DSWD has also upgraded the center’s security infrastructure by raising the height of its perimeter walls and installing steel grills on rooftop areas to prevent escape attempts.
Despite the tighter security, Subong stressed that the RRCY remains a rehabilitation facility designed to provide a child-friendly environment for children in conflict with the law.
“These are children in conflict with the law who are under suspended sentence. While security is important, we also have to ensure that they stay in a child-appropriate facility where rehabilitation and healing can continue,” she said.
The RRCY currently houses around 30 children, well below its 80-bed capacity. Additional house parents and social workers have also been assigned to provide closer supervision and psychosocial interventions.
Subong acknowledged that while isolated escape incidents had occurred at the facility in previous years, the DSWD has established protocols requiring immediate coordination with barangay officials, local government units, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and the police. Such incidents are also reported to the courts, which may issue warrants of arrest when warranted.
The two Tacloban shooting suspects remain under strict restrictions while undergoing medical, psychological, and social assessments.
According to Subong, the minors are housed separately from other residents and are prohibited from receiving visitors, including family members.
“There is a no-contact and no-interview policy for the two minors at this time, except with our house parents and social workers,” she said.
She added that while other RRCY residents may eventually receive family visits after complying with the center’s protocols, the restrictions imposed on the two suspects are necessary to preserve the integrity of the ongoing intervention process.
Subong also appealed to barangay officials, local government units, and the public to continue supporting the government’s rehabilitation efforts.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the children under our custody. We welcome the support and cooperation of our barangay officials and local government units because this responsibility is shared by everyone, not just the DSWD,” she said.
TACLOBAN CITY — A lawyer has urged the government to carefully assess whether former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan can provide substantial and credible testimony before considering granting him state witness status in the ongoing investigation into alleged flood control anomalies.
Lawyer Jose Roy said authorities should first determine the value of Bonoan’s potential testimony and whether it would significantly strengthen the government’s case before offering him state witness status.
“The government must first establish what information he can provide and whether his testimony will materially contribute to the investigation,” Roy said.
He also noted Bonoan’s advanced age, saying the former public works chief is already over 80 years old and that this should be taken into account when evaluating the reliability and motivation behind any testimony he may give.
Roy said that without a clear determination that Bonoan’s testimony is both credible and essential, there would be no sufficient legal basis for admitting him as a state witness.
His remarks came amid reports that the government is considering tapping Bonoan as a state witness in its investigation into alleged irregularities involving flood control projects.
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — Globe delivered reliable connectivity throughout this year’s Sangyaw Festival, helping residents, visitors, businesses, and festival organizers stay connected as Tacloban City celebrated one of its most important cultural and religious traditions.
As thousands gathered for the Parade of Lights, cultural performances, concerts, food fairs, and community activities honoring the Señor Santo Niño de Tacloban, Globe supported seamless communication and digital access across key event venues, contributing to a more connected and enjoyable festival experience.
The festival was supported by Globe’s robust network in Tacloban City, which consists of over 50 cell sites, including more than 25 5G-enabled sites.
These sites helped accommodate increased data demand throughout the festivities while supporting residents, businesses, and visitors across key event areas. To further support the increased demand for mobile services, Globe deployed Cellsites on Wheels in strategic locations, boosting network capacity in high-traffic festival areas.
The additional infrastructure complemented Globe’s existing network, helping ensure a reliable mobile experience amid heightened data traffic generated by large crowds and simultaneous events.
“Festivals like Sangyaw showcase the spirit, culture, and resilience of Tacloban and its people. We are proud to support this important celebration by providing reliable connectivity that helps residents, visitors, businesses, and organizers stay connected, share meaningful moments, and fully participate in the festivities. Through our network and on-ground initiatives, Globe remains committed to enabling stronger digital experiences that bring communities closer together,” said Jimbo Cordero, General Manager for Visayas at Globe.
Beyond supporting connectivity, Globe contributed to the overall festival experience through on-ground initiatives across the city. The company provided tents, installed lamppost banners in key areas, and mounted a dedicated festival booth where attendees could learn more about Globe products and services, receive customer assistance, and explore connectivity solutions for their homes and businesses.
Featured offerings included GFiber Prepaid, Globe’s flexible fiber internet service that provides reliable connectivity without lock-in periods and fixed monthly fees, making it easier for households to stay connected.
As thousands gathered to celebrate Tacloban’s heritage and traditions, Globe’s support helped strengthen the digital backbone behind the festivities, enabling people to capture memories, engage with their communities, support local enterprises, and participate more fully in the celebration.
Globe’s participation in the Sangyaw Festival reflects its commitment to empowering communities through technology and providing reliable connectivity that enriches shared experiences. (PR)
SAFE AT LAST. Jeniel Amolo, a 26-year-old fisherman from Guindulman, Bohol, is assisted by members of the Macrohon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council after his disabled motorboat drifted across rough seas and washed ashore in Barangay Aguinaldo, Southern Leyte, following strong winds and currents brought by Typhoon “Inday.”
(Photo courtesy of Macrohon MDRRMO)
SAFE AT LAST. Jeniel Amolo, a 26-year-old fisherman from Guindulman, Bohol, is assisted by members of the Macrohon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council after his disabled motorboat drifted across rough seas and washed ashore in Barangay Aguinaldo, Southern Leyte, following strong winds and currents brought by Typhoon “Inday.” (Photo courtesy of Macrohon MDRRMO)
ORMOC CITY – A 26-year-old fisherman from Bohol was rescued after his disabled motorboat drifted across rough seas and washed ashore in Macrohon, Southern Leyte, following strong winds and currents spawned by Typhoon “Inday.”
The fisherman, identified as Jeniel Amolo of Guindulman, Bohol, was rescued by members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) after reaching the shoreline of Barangay Aguinaldo in Macrohon.
Amolo told rescuers he left Guindulman at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, to fish for squid when his pump boat developed engine trouble due to a faulty spark plug.
He initially tried to paddle back to shore but was overpowered by strong winds and currents, which had intensified due to Typhoon “Inday.”
Unable to steer his boat safely, Amolo decided to let the current carry him until he eventually reached Barangay Aguinaldo at around 4 p.m.
Members of the MDRRMC immediately responded and brought the fisherman to safety.
Macrohon Mayor Jerome Curtina directed the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to provide temporary assistance to Amolo while coordinating arrangements for his safe return to his family in Bohol.
The local disaster management office reminded fishermen to inspect their boats thoroughly and monitor weather advisories before going out to sea, particularly during periods of inclement weather.
