TACLOBAN CITY– A local court here has denied the bail petition of community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and humanitarian worker Mariel Domequil following their conviction for terrorism financing.
In a nine-page order dated Feb. 13, Judge Georgina Uy Perez of the Regional Trial Court Branch 45 said there was no strong or compelling reason to grant bail to the two accused.
Cumpio and Domequil were found guilty on Jan. 22 of violating Republic Act No. 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. They were acquitted of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The court cited the gravity of the offense and the penalty of up to 18 years in prison, saying these increase the risk of flight and the possibility of continued involvement in unlawful activities if released. The two have been detained at the Tacloban City Jail since their arrest in 2020.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines described the denial of bail as “unfortunate and unfair,” noting that Cumpio remains in detention while awaiting further legal remedies.
Cumpio has also been nominated for the UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, a recognition given to individuals who have made significant contributions to press freedom.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has raised alarm over what it described as renewed “terrorist-grooming” operations targeting Filipino youth, following a recent speech delivered by Julieta de Lima before the League of Filipino Students during its 21st National Congress.
In a press statement, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto C. Torres Jr. emphasized that activism itself is not the issue — but organized efforts to channel students toward armed struggle cross a dangerous line.
“Let us be clear: activism is not the issue. Debate is not the issue. Criticism of government is not the issue,” Torres said. “What concerns us is the open call to intensify recruitment and strengthen structures aligned with a movement that has long pursued armed struggle against the democratic State.”
Torres stressed that when young people are “systematically conditioned and directed toward violent revolution, that is terrorist-grooming.”
According to the task force official, the speech went beyond discussing social issues and affirmed the framework of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, encouraged intensified recruitment in campuses, and situated student organizing within the broader structure of the Communist Party, the New People’s Army, and allied underground networks.
“These are not abstract ideas,” Torres noted. “They form part of a decades-old revolutionary blueprint. The insurgency does not begin in the mountains. It often begins in classrooms — through ideological consolidation, study circles, and gradual conditioning.”
He further said that former rebels have repeatedly testified how recruitment pipelines start with exposure to seemingly ordinary campus activism before progressing into structured underground participation.
“What appears to be harmless organizing can evolve into a deliberate pathway toward armed engagement,” Torres said, adding: “That is not spontaneous activism. That is structured cadre-building. That is terrorist-grooming.”
The task force expressed particular concern over reports of organized recruitment targets, formation of “squads” of prospective members, and systematic campus expansion efforts.
Torres also highlighted what he described as a stark moral contradiction within the movement’s leadership structure.
For decades, he noted that Julieta de Lima and the late Jose Maria Sison before, have been based and living comfortable lives in Europe — far removed from the risks and bloodshed that armed struggle inevitably brings.
“Yet it is young Filipino students who are urged to take up the burden of revolution,” he pointed out. (PR)
ANTI-HUNGER CAMPAIGN. Different government agencies, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, has gathered today to address hunger problem in the region. Different private entities are also involved in the campaign.(PHOTO COURTESY)
ANTI-HUNGER CAMPAIGN. Different government agencies, led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, has gathered today to address hunger problem in the region. Different private entities are also involved in the campaign.(PHOTO COURTESY)
TACLOBAN CITY — In a bid to strengthen food security and reduce poverty in vulnerable communities, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) has convened government agencies, state universities, and development partners in Eastern Visayas to intensify collaboration under its Zero Hunger initiative.
The convergence meeting, held on February 6, 2026 at The Tropics in MacArthur Park, gathered representatives from 12 national government agencies to align plans and resources for the program’s Convergence Budgeting Project.
The SLP, a flagship poverty-alleviation initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), aims to provide capacity-building and livelihood assistance to low-income households.
Its zero hunger initiative complements the national government’s broader food security agenda by integrating livelihood support with agricultural productivity, skills training, and enterprise development.
Among the participating agencies were the Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Training Institute, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, along with other institutions supporting community-based development.
State universities and colleges also took part in the discussions, including Samar State University, Leyte Normal University, Eastern Visayas State University, and Visayas State University.
The academic institutions committed to contribute research, technical expertise, and extension services to ensure science-based and sustainable interventions.
The meeting sought to harmonize inter-agency efforts over the next four years through SLP’s Five-Phases Sustainability Plan. Participants worked on crafting a unified strategic framework that would make partner programs more coordinated, resource-efficient, and responsive to local conditions.
A key outcome of the activity was the drafting of the Project Briefer for the Zero Hunger Convergence Budgeting Project for Calendar Year 2026, with initial target areas identified for 2027 implementation. Stakeholders emphasized pooling resources and consolidating interventions to boost food production, diversify livelihoods, and improve overall community well-being.
As part of the strategy, partners agreed to identify one common target municipality per province where integrated services and assistance will be rolled out. These commitments will be formalized through a Partnership Agreement under a Specific Implementation Agreement.
Implementation models, including initiatives in Baybay City, were presented as reference points for scaling up the program. Municipal-level coordination meetings are scheduled in the coming months to strengthen local government engagement and ensure closer monitoring at the grassroots level.
Organizers underscored that sustained collaboration among national agencies, the academe, and local stakeholders will be crucial in achieving long-term food security and lifting vulnerable families out of poverty across Eastern Visayas.
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 13 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces have been issued safe conduct passes (SCPs) by the National Amnesty Commission through the Local Amnesty Board (LAB) in Catbalogan, marking another step in the government’s reconciliation and reintegration efforts.
Of the total recipients, 10 were assisted by the 52nd Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Dolores, Eastern Samar, while three others were endorsed by the 3rd IB stationed in San Jorge, Samar.
The issuance of SCPs forms part of the government’s amnesty program for former rebels, which aims to encourage members of communist armed groups to return to the fold of the law. The pass provides temporary protection from arrest for rebellion-related offenses while their amnesty applications are being processed.
The distribution ceremony in Dolores was attended by 801st Infantry Brigade Commander Arlino Sendaydiego, 52nd IB Commanding Officer Sandy Sereño, and Dolores Municipal Police Station chief Eumorpho Batlangao, along with police personnel from Oras and Can-avid towns.
In his message, Lt. Col. Sereño reiterated the government’s commitment to support former rebels as they transition back to civilian life. Brig. Gen. Sendaydiego, for his part, underscored the need for sincerity in the reconciliation process.
“We need your sincerity in returning to the fold of the law. We do not treat you as enemies, as many of you were simply victims. Life is better when we are free,” Sendaydiego said.
During the activity, the LAB Secretariat conducted a comprehensive briefing on the guidelines, privileges, and responsibilities attached to the SCP. Recipients formally acknowledged their understanding of the document’s limitations and pledged to use it appropriately while reintegrating into mainstream society.
An orientation was also held for 37 additional former rebels who filed their amnesty applications, signaling continued interest in the program in parts of Samar Island, which has long been affected by insurgency.
Meanwhile, the three applicants from Samar province received their SCPs at the LAB-Catbalogan office after undergoing the same orientation and documentation process.
Lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office were present during both distribution activities and facilitated the Oath of Allegiance of the applicants.
Military and police officials said the issuance of SCPs reflects ongoing efforts under the government’s whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict, by combining security operations with legal remedies and reintegration support for former insurgents.
Globe underscored the need to advance practical policy reforms that enable more efficient telecommunications infrastructure development, resulting in more reliable internet services for all Filipinos. At the same time, the company called for long-overdue action on structural cost and operational barriers to make digital services more affordable and accessible to a broader segment of the population.
The company framed connectivity as the country’s fifth utility, at par with water, electricity, sanitation, and transport, noting its direct influence on work, learning, livelihood, and participation in the digital economy.
Speaking at the DICT-led PH Telecom Summit 2026, Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz emphasized, “Filipinos deserve more than access, they deserve quality. That means policy must shift to enable inclusive, long-term strategic investments supporting the country’s digital connectivity roadmap. Connectivity shouldn’t be a luxury. It’s the backbone of how people work, learn, and live today.”
“The industry heavily relies on investments and capital expenditures to deliver services to the country. To move forward, government and industry must collaborate so that investments are protected and the industry gains translate to real benefit to customers in terms of universal access, reliable and consistent service that’s affordable to many,” Cruz added.
Globe is driving digital inclusion by transforming neighborhood businesses such as sari-sari stores, auto repair shops, and small logistics providers into active digital touchpoints. These microenterprises are now positioned to offer basic connectivity and digital services within their communities, helping close access gaps while creating new livelihood opportunities.
This shift is made possible through a well-organized national distribution system that involves larger SME partners, sub-dealers, and community-level agents. By embedding small businesses into this supply chain, Globe is building a scalable model that supports both digital adoption and local economic resilience, especially in areas where formal infrastructure and digital access remain limited.
On the Konektadong Pinoy Act, Globe expressed measured support, citing opportunities and improvements in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that address its earlier concerns around security, infrastructure protection, and fair competition. The law, which opens the country’s data transmission market to new entrants by removing the congressional franchise requirement, aims to expand access and encourage investment in underserved areas. Globe has worked closely with the DICT to ensure that new players, now classified as Data Transmission Industry Participants (DTIPs), are subject to strict cybersecurity vetting and certification, with no room for exploitation during the two-year grace period.
Globe also pushed for rules that protect existing infrastructure from duplication or disruption and advocated for fair, transparent spectrum allocation, particularly with the rise of satellite providers. “We need rules that balance openness with accountability, especially around infra use, security standards, and spectrum coordination,” Cruz said.
At the summit, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda delivered a compelling address on the government’s National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP), underscoring the Philippines’ ambition to climb the ranks of Southeast Asia’s digital landscape. Aguda highlighted progress in network performance and reaffirmed the administration’s drive to expand infrastructure and close the digital divide. His remarks were delivered with the support and presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reinforcing digital inclusion as a national priority.
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez called for sustained collaboration among regulators, government, and industry to ensure equitable and quality connectivity. (PR)
DEPLOYMENT. Over 100 police personnel were deployed in the different municipalities in Leyte’s third and fourth districts to address peace and order situation in these areas.(PRO-8 FACEBOOK)
DEPLOYMENT. Over 100 police personnel were deployed in the different municipalities in Leyte’s third and fourth districts to address peace and order situation in these areas.(PRO-8 FACEBOOK)
TACLOBAN CITY — In a move to reinforce grassroots security and deter criminal activities, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) has redeployed 146 police personnel under its “Pulis sa Barangay” program to key areas in Leyte province.
The deployment, carried out on February 13, 2026, covers the 3rd and 4th districts of Leyte, areas that have historically faced peace and order challenges, including sporadic incidents of politically motivated violence in past years.
Under the directive of PRO-8 Regional Director Jayson Capoy, 112 personnel were assigned to the 3rd district, covering the municipalities of Leyte, Villaba, Kananga, Palompon, and Tabango. Meanwhile, 34 officers were stationed in the 4th district to serve as a quick response team (QRT) and manage border control operations in Barangays Balogo, Tinag-an, and Binolho in Albuera town.
The “Pulis sa Barangay” program is a community-based policing strategy that seeks to bring police services closer to residents, ensure faster response to incidents, and strengthen coordination with barangay officials in maintaining peace and order.
Capoy said the redeployment forms part of PRO-8’s sustained efforts to heighten police visibility and intensify anti-criminality operations at the community level.
“This redeployment reflects our continuing commitment to strengthen community policing and ensure that every barangay in Eastern Visayas feels the presence of the PNP. Through enhanced visibility and closer coordination with local officials, we aim to maintain peace, order, and public safety at all times,” he said.
PRO-8 reiterated its commitment to delivering responsive and community-centered police service across Eastern Visayas, especially in areas identified as security priorities.
