TACLOBAN CITY – In celebration of its 18th Charter Day, the city government of Catbalogan, under the leadership of Mayor Dexter Uy, distributed 57 Starlink internet units—one for each barangay—to boost digital connectivity across the city.

Alongside the Starlink terminals, the city also provided Smart TVs, wireless microphones, audio mixers, and speakers with stands to further enhance each barangay’s access to digital tools and communication systems.

“To ensure stronger and more efficient internet connectivity across all barangays in Catbalogan, we held the distribution of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) materials—including Starlink units, Smart TVs, mixers, microphones, and speakers,” said Mayor Uy during the turnover ceremony.

He noted that the initiative was made possible through the support of partner government agencies and is designed not only to improve internet access but also to strengthen emergency and disaster response capabilities in local communities.

The city council expressed full support for the project, recognizing it as a critical step in bridging the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion across Catbalogan’s 57 barangays.

With free Wi-Fi access now available citywide, residents—especially in remote areas—will be able to access online services related to education, employment, healthcare, and government programs.

Mayor Uy also stressed that reliable internet connectivity plays a vital role in disaster preparedness, emergency communication, and timely dissemination of information, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

By investing in advanced ICT infrastructure, Catbalogan is positioning itself as a smarter, more resilient, and digitally connected city.

(ROEL T.AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– An 18-year-old student was arrested by police after a court issued a warrant against him for obstruction of justice, around 1:30 pm on Wednesday, June 4, in Barangay San Isidro, Biliran, Biliran.

The suspect, identified as alias “Berto,” is a resident of Brgy. San Isidro.

His arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant of arrest dated May 8, 2025, issued Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete, executive judge of RTC Branch 16, Naval, Biliran, for violation of Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree 1829 (Obstruction of Justice) under Criminal Case No. N-474.

The court recommended bail of P10,000 for his temporary release.

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

He is now under the custody of Biliran Municipal Police Station for proper disposition before being turned over to the court that issued the warrant.

(ROBERT DEJON)

ORMOC CITY– A drug personality listed as Rank No. 8 in the Regional Priority Target List was arrested during a buy-bust operation on Monday morning, June 9, in Barangay San Isidro, Giporlos, Eastern Samar.

The suspect, identified by police as alias “Albert,” 55, married, a fish vendor, and a resident of Barangay 2, Poblacion, was apprehended around 10:48 am by the Municipal Drug Enforcement Team of the Giporlos Police Station, in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Confiscated from the suspect was one sachet containing a substance believed to be shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P1,000. A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandated witnesses, yielded five more sachets of suspected shabu hidden in a black wallet.

Authorities also recovered a total of P1,550 in various denominations, which included the marked money used in the operation and P900 in boodle money. Also seized were a green lighter and a black Honda RS 125 motorcycle with no license plate.

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

Charges for Violation of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against him before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. He is currently detained at the Giporlos Municipal Police Station.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Borongan is seeking clarification from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) after reports surfaced that certain areas in the city have been listed as “open for mining application” by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the city has formally sent a letter of inquiry to both the Eastern Samar Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the MGB, requesting detailed information on the inclusion and the specific minerals identified in Borongan that led to its declaration as having “mining viability.”

In response to the issue, Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda convened a meeting on June 9 with barangay chairmen of the affected communities: Calicoan, Campesao, San Gabriel, San Jose, and Siha, and Sohutan— barangays located along the Loom River, which may be directly impacted by potential mining operations.

During the meeting, Mayor Agda reiterated his strong opposition to any future mining activity in Borongan, citing its long-term, irreversible impact on the ecosystem and the city’s natural resources. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

The barangay leaders unanimously supported the mayor’s stance and pledged to launch a community-level awareness campaign on the dangers and environmental consequences of mining.

Earlier this week, the MGB posted on its official Facebook page a list of areas across the country identified as open for mining applications. The list reportedly included locations within Borongan, with coordinates pointing to zones near several river barangays. In response, barangay councils passed resolutions opposing the inclusion of their communities in the mining list.

The Borongan City government is currently awaiting the MGB’s official response to its inquiries as it continues to monitor the situation closely.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY– A 19-year-old construction worker listed as the No. 2 most wanted person in the province of Biliran was arrested by law enforcement authorities on the evening of Tuesday, June 3, in Barangay Villa Cornejo, Kawayan, Biliran.

The suspect, known by the alias “Jie,” a resident of the same barangay, was apprehended around 10:33 pm by operatives of the Kawayan Municipal Police Station and the Biliran Provincial Mobile Force Company.

The arrest was made based on a warrant issued by Judge Luz Petilla Navarrete of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 16, Naval, Biliran, for the crime of qualified statutory rape. No bail was recommended for the suspect’s temporary release.

Police said the accused was informed of the nature of the arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood.

The suspect was brought to the Kawayan Municipal Police Station for documentation and will be turned over to the issuing court for proper legal proceedings.

(ROBERT DEJON)