TACLOBAN CITY —The Police Regional Office-8 (PRO-8) recorded a generally peaceful conduct of the nationwide Trillion Peso March across Eastern Visayas during the Bonifacio Day commemoration on November 30.

Police monitored four rallies held in Calbayog City, Tacloban City, Borongan City, and Maasin City with an estimated combined turnout of around 1,475 participants.

More than 3,000 police personnel were deployed across the region to secure activities and ensure the safety of participants and the public.

Regional Director PB/Gen. Jason Capoy commended the personnel for their professionalism and thanked rally organizers and the community for their cooperation, which he said contributed to the incident-free observance.

PRO-8 said it maintained strong visibility and continuous monitoring throughout the day to manage crowds and prevent any untoward incidents.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Globe is accelerating the country’s digital transformation with the rapid expansion of GFiber Prepaid, its game-changing fiber broadband solution designed to make fast, stable internet more accessible to Filipino households. With a flexible, no lockup, load-as-you-need model, GFiber Prepaid is driving mass-market fiber adoption nationwide, empowering families to stay connected in a way that fits their routines, responsibilities, and budgets.

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ORMOC CITY — Two newly identified drug personalities were arrested by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) during a buy-bust operation at around 6:14 p.m. on November 24, in Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte.

According to PMAJ Romeo Sudario, the suspects were identified as alias “Leo,” 50, married, jobless, a resident of Sitio Cabugoy, Barangay Poblacion; and alias “Oscar,” 54, a laborer residing along Real Street, also in Barangay Poblacion.

The main target of the operation was “Leo.” Recovered from his possession was one sachet of suspected shabu sold to an undercover operative for P500. A body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses yielded a black pouch containing nine additional sachets of suspected shabu. Police also recovered a marked P500 bill used in the buy-bust, along with P14 in assorted denominations.

During the body search of “Oscar,” officers recovered a green coin purse containing three sachets of suspected shabu.

Police said the confiscated drug items had an estimated total weight of approximately 3.8 grams, with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P25,840.

The suspects were informed of the nature of their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office. Both suspects remain detained at the locked-up cell of the Kananga Municipal Police Station.

(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone has called on education partners across the region to remain united in strengthening the Philippine learning system, as the Department of Education (DepEd) honored exceptional stakeholders during “Kabalikat sa Edukasyon: A Celebration of Gratitude” on November 27.
The ceremony recognized agencies, organizations, local government units (LGUs), and community advocates whose continued support has helped improve the delivery of education services throughout Eastern Visayas.

Evardone, who was among the event’s special guests, echoed DepEd’s call for collective responsibility—earlier emphasized by DepEd Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and External Partnership Service Cilette Liboro Co.

“Let us all work together for the youth. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child,” Evardone said, underscoring that quality education cannot be achieved by the government alone. He assured that the province of Eastern Samar remains committed to collaborating with DepEd and its partners to uplift learning communities.
He also encouraged partners to remain steadfast in their advocacy despite the difficult challenges the country faces.

“I hope we continue helping one another for the education sector… We all know that the Philippines is in crisis. What we are talking about may be depressing, but what we can do is invest in the future,” Evardone added, framing education as the most enduring solution to long-term national development.

In her message, Asec. Co highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in addressing education needs, noting that DepEd — under the leadership of Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara — is working closely with LGUs to fast-track classroom construction and upgrade learning facilities nationwide.

“We do not fear because we are not alone,” Co said, expressing gratitude for partners that consistently provide resources, technical support, and community-based assistance.
DepEd-8 Regional Director Ronelo Al Firmo likewise reaffirmed the crucial role of stakeholders, emphasizing: “Education is not the work of DepEd alone. We are never alone in this journey. Thank you for believing that every child deserves education and no learner is left behind.”

Among those recognized by DepEd-8 were seven private lending institutions, 13 journalists, 13 non-government organizations, one private company, four international organizations, nine national government agencies, a private individual who funded the construction of a school building, seven city and municipal mayors, and five provincial governors.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)