TACLOBAN CITY– A former senior member of the New People’s Army (NPA) has urged the remaining rebels in Calbiga, Samar to abandon armed struggle and return to peaceful civilian life after the town was declared under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC).

The appeal was made by alias “Lyn,” a former secretary of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) Sesame, who surrendered to government forces in 2024 after spending 24 years in the underground movement.

Her statement came after Calbiga was formally placed under SIPSC status through a resolution approved by the Sangguniang Bayan and endorsed by the municipal peace and order council, a development authorities described as a key milestone in the town’s peace process.

Lyn said she joined the NPA as a young student after being promised access to education, but said these promises were never fulfilled, preventing her from completing her studies.
“It is a waste that I was not able to achieve my dreams,” she said, reflecting on her years in the armed movement.

She appealed to the remaining armed members—whom she estimated to be only a few individuals still originating from Calbiga—to surrender, noting that most are no longer operating within the municipality but have moved to other areas in Eastern Samar.
“What you are doing is against the law. There will be no real peace to be achieved, only more hardship and confusion,” she said, stressing that continued armed struggle only brings suffering.

Lyn also cited visible development in Calbiga, including infrastructure projects that have improved connectivity among remote villages and enhanced access to government services.

Calbiga Mayor Red Nacario said sustaining peace remains a priority, particularly in upland areas where 21 of the town’s 41 barangays are located. He emphasized that education is crucial in preventing the youth from being recruited into armed groups, noting the need for more secondary schools in remote communities.

“This is very important so that we can protect the youth, especially those in the uplands,” Nacario said, adding that the local government is also expanding livelihood and housing assistance for former rebels under programs such as the Saad nga Balay (House of Hope) initiative.

The military said Calbiga’s SIPSC declaration on April 23 marks a historic milestone, as the town was the site of the NPA’s first recorded tactical offensive in 1974.

Authorities said the declaration reflects continued progress toward stability, but stressed that sustained government services and community support remain essential to prevent any resurgence of insurgent influence.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY— Family members and colleagues of veteran journalist and publisher Johnny Dayang have renewed their appeal for justice, one year after he was gunned down inside his home in Kalibo, Aklan with no arrest yet made on the alleged gunman at the time of the commemoration.

Dayang, 89, a respected figure in Philippine journalism and former Kalibo mayor, was killed on April 29, 2025, in an attack that shocked the media community and drew condemnation from press freedom advocates.

Jun Aguirre, chairman of the Aklan Media-Citizens Council, said investigators are still working on the case but urged authorities to prioritize its resolution.

“We just hope the administration and the PNP continue to give priority in solving the case,” Aguirre said, noting that the alleged perpetrators remain at large despite earlier leads and a reward offered for information.

The Dayang family said justice remains “painfully incomplete,” adding that they have yet to be formally updated on any decisive breakthrough or arrest warrant execution in the case.
They stressed that honoring Dayang’s legacy also means ensuring accountability for crimes against journalists.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said legal proceedings have advanced, with murder charges already filed in court and a warrant of arrest issued against the suspect identified as BB Boy Kim Wency Antonio.

Authorities said law enforcement units, including the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation, are actively pursuing the suspect.

PTFoMS executive director Joe Torres urged continued vigilance among journalists, saying press freedom remains essential despite risks.

The Philippines continues to be flagged by international watchdogs as one of the most dangerous countries for media workers, with past cases of violence against journalists underscoring persistent concerns over impunity.

(RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY— A 62-year-old motorcycle driver survived a collision with a six-wheeler truck along the national highway in Barangay Balite, Kawayan, Biliran on Friday evening, May 1, sustaining injuries but remaining alive after the impact.

Police identified the injured motorcyclist as alias “Peter,” a married resident of the municipality, who was driving a gray and black Honda Click. The other vehicle involved was a white Sinotruk HOMAN H3 truck driven by alias “Paco,” 40, of Almeria, Biliran, with three passengers identified as helpers.

According to the Kawayan Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 8:05 p.m. and was reported by a concerned citizen, prompting authorities to immediately respond to the scene.

Initial investigation revealed that the two vehicles were traveling in opposite directions, with the motorcycle heading northbound and the truck moving southbound. The truck driver reportedly attempted to overtake another vehicle by entering the opposite lane but encountered the oncoming motorcycle.

Despite efforts to brake and steer away, the truck and motorcycle collided.
As a result of the crash, both vehicles sustained damage, while the motorcyclist suffered injuries. The truck driver and his passengers were unharmed.

The truck driver and the vehicles involved were brought to the Kawayan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition as the investigation continues.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY-A 50-year-old construction worker was found dead in an irrigation canal in Barangay Kiling, Tanauan, Leyte on Friday afternoon, May 1, authorities said.

Police identified the victim as alias “Jose,” a married resident of the barangay. His body was discovered around 5:40 p.m., partially submerged in the canal.

According to the Tanauan Municipal Police Station, officers responded to a report from a concerned citizen who called to report the discovery of what appeared to be a dead body. Upon arrival, police found the victim motionless and unresponsive in the waterway.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was last seen alive around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, at a sari-sari store, where he had been drinking and was reportedly intoxicated. He did not return home afterward.

The victim was examined at the scene and declared dead by a physician from the Rural Health Unit.

Authorities requested assistance from the Regional Forensic Unit 8 Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) to process the area and conduct a post-mortem examination. Scene processing was completed at around 7:55 p.m. the same day.

Based on initial findings, investigators said there were no signs of foul play in the victim’s death.

The body was later brought to a local funeral service facility for proper disposition.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Police in Eastern Visayas reported the surrender of at least nine individuals linked to insurgent groups in a series of operations conducted across the region from April 24 to 29, 2026.

Brigadier General Jason Capoy, regional director of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), said authorities continue to encourage members of armed groups to return to the fold of the law through reintegration efforts.

“We remain committed to guiding them back to lawful and productive lives through government reintegration programs,” Capoy said in a statement.

According to PRO-8, the latest surrenders involved former unit militia members and individuals previously associated with various sub-regional committees operating in Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, and Eastern Samar.

On April 29, two individuals identified only as alias “Inday,” 54, and alias “Jay,” 29, surrendered in separate areas in Calbiga, Samar and Lope de Vega, Northern Samar through the efforts of the 2nd Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company, in coordination with intelligence units. One of the surrenderers also turned over a rifle grenade.

Earlier, on April 28, another militia member, alias “Dondon,” 40, from Catarman, Northern Samar, yielded to authorities. Additional surrenders were recorded on April 26, including a 32-year-old man from Lope de Vega who handed over a rifle grenade, and two others from Bobon, Northern Samar and Dolores, Eastern Samar.

On April 25, a 28-year-old former rebel from Catarman also surrendered, followed by two more individuals on April 24 in separate operations in Eastern Samar and Leyte. One of them turned over a .38 caliber revolver, ammunition, a rifle grenade, and detonating cord.
All surrenderers are now under police custody for documentation and assessment for possible inclusion in the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which provides assistance to former rebels seeking to reintegrate into society.
Eastern Visayas has long been affected by insurgency, with communist rebel groups operating in parts of the region since the late 1960s. Government forces have continued efforts to weaken these groups through security operations and programs encouraging voluntary surrender and reintegration.

Authorities said the recent wave of surrenders reflects ongoing efforts to address insurgency not only through law enforcement but also by offering pathways for former rebels to return to civilian life.

(RONALD O. REYES)

ORMOC CITY– Charges of illegal possession of firearms and grave threats were filed by the local police of Leyte, Leyte against a farmer who threatened a fellow farmer by pointing a homemade shotgun at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, in Brgy. Ugbon of said town.
Police identified the victim as alias “Marlon,” 53, farmer, married and a resident of the said barangay. The suspect was also identified as alias “Pedro,” 41, farmer, married also a resident of the said place.

Leyte police said that at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, the station received a phone call from Pulis sa Barangay (PSB) assigned at Brgy. Belen informing them of a commotion that transpired at Sitio Buongon, also of Brgy. Belen.

The police said that in response, the said PSB, together with personnel of Leyte MPS, immediately proceeded to the reported place to verify the veracity of the information and to conduct an investigation.

Initial investigation conducted by responding police disclosed that while the victim was at his piggery located near his residence, the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor, arrived armed with a long firearm described as a homemade shotgun and carrying a belt bag.

The police said that the suspect suddenly pointed the firearm at the victim and uttered threatening words in the vernacular, “Patyon ta ka.” The victim replied, likewise in the vernacular, “Ibutang na, unsa may sala nako, pwede man ni nato estoryahan.”

The police added that thereafter, the suspect threw the firearm along the road and at that instance, a witness identified alias “Garry,” 45, farmer, married, Brgy. Ugbon, arrived and shouted in the vernacular, “Atras pre kay pusil na.”

However, the police said that the suspect continued approaching both the witness and the victim, but upon noticing the presence of the witness, the suspect fled from the area.
The witness told police that he retrieved the firearm and turned it over to the victim. The police added that upon their arrival the victim surrendered the said firearm to them which led to the immediate arrest of the suspect, who was found seated in front of a store near the place of the incident.

The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language that he understood and spoke.

The suspect was charged for violation of RA10591, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Possession of Firearm, Ammunition, and Explosive.

(ROBERT DEJON)